Kim Gilli’s Golden Run and Choi Min-jeong’s Historic Farewell at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Kim Gilli (Sungnam City Hall) has secured the first two-gold medal achievement for the Korean delegation at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, winning gold in the women’s 1,500m short track event. This victory adds to the Korean team’s medal count, which already includes gold in the women’s 3,000m relay and a silver medal won by Choi Min-jeong.
Choi Min-jeong’s Last Dance: A Silver Lining and Record-Breaking Legacy
While Choi Min-jeong didn’t achieve her dream of a historic three-peat in the 1,500m, she claimed a silver medal, marking a remarkable end to her Olympic career. More significantly, this achievement elevates her to the top of the list for most Olympic medals won by a Korean athlete, with a total of seven medals across both Summer and Winter Games.
A Moment of Sportsmanship
The race saw a heartwarming display of sportsmanship as Choi Min-jeong embraced a tearful Kim Gilli after the medal ceremony. Despite narrowly missing out on the gold, Choi’s support for her teammate highlighted the spirit of camaraderie within the Korean team.
Korea’s Medal Haul in Milan-Cortina
So far, the Korean team has secured three gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics: in the women’s 3,000m relay (with contributions from Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gilli, Noh Do-hee and Shim Suk-hee), women’s 1,500m (Kim Gilli), and snowboad women’s halfpipe (Choi Ga-on).
FAQ
Q: How many Olympic medals does Choi Min-jeong have now?
A: Choi Min-jeong now has a total of seven Olympic medals, making her the Korean athlete with the most Olympic medals in history.
Q: Who won the gold medal in the women’s 1,500m short track?
A: Kim Gilli of Sungnam City Hall won the gold medal.
Q: Which other Korean athletes have won gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
A: Choi Ga-on (snowboard women’s halfpipe) and the women’s 3,000m relay team have also won gold medals.