History was made under the dazzling lights of the Milan Ice Skating Arena as the South Korean women’s short track speed skating team reclaimed their throne in spectacular style, clinching gold in the 3000m relay at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. On the evening of February 18 (local time), Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gilli, Noh Do-hee, and Shim Seok-hee powered through a dramatic final, outpacing host nation Italy, defending champions the Netherlands, and perennial podium contenders Canada. Their victory not only marked a triumphant return to the top after an eight-year wait but also underscored South Korea’s enduring dominance in this electrifying event.
The final was nothing short of a rollercoaster. South Korea, starting from lane one thanks to their top qualifying time, seized an early lead with Choi Min-jeong setting the pace. The baton was swiftly handed to Kim Gilli, but the Canadian squad soon edged ahead, and a daring move by the Netherlands’ Ksandra Felzebur pushed Korea back to third. The tension was palpable as the laps ticked down; with 16 remaining, disaster nearly struck when the Netherlands crashed out. Choi Min-jeong displayed nerves of steel, skillfully dodging the chaos and keeping Korea’s medal hopes alive.
As the race entered its final, frantic phase, the strategy and unity of the Korean team shone through. With just four laps left, Shim Seok-hee executed a crucial push, propelling Choi Min-jeong past Canada and into second place. The crowd roared as Kim Gilli, in a breathtaking move, dove inside Italy’s ace Arianna Fontana with only two laps to go, surging into the lead and carrying the team across the finish line in a blistering 4:04.014. Italy followed at 4:04.107, while Canada secured bronze with 4:04.314. The defending champions, the Netherlands, finished fourth after their untimely fall.
The gold was South Korea’s first medal of the 2026 Games, and it tasted all the sweeter after a challenging start to the competition. Prior to this, the team had managed a silver in the men’s 1500m (Hwang Dae-heon) and a bronze in the men’s 1000m (Lim Jong-eon), but the women’s relay brought home the coveted top prize. Isoyeon, who contributed in the semifinals, also received her first Olympic medal, a testament to the depth and resilience of the squad.
This victory is steeped in legacy. The women’s 3000m relay has long been a gold mine for Korea, with previous triumphs in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2014, and 2018. Their latest win brings the total to seven Olympic golds in this event, an astonishing record that cements Korea’s reputation as the queens of short track relay. The only Olympic Games where the team missed the podium in this event were Albertville 1992 and Vancouver 2010—a testament to their sustained excellence over decades.
For Choi Min-jeong, the night was especially significant. The 28-year-old ace from Seongnam City Hall captured her third consecutive Olympic relay gold, joining the pantheon of Korean sports legends. This medal lifts her career Olympic tally to six (four gold, two silver), tying her with Jin Jong-oh (shooting), Kim Soo-nyung (archery), and Lee Seung-hoon (speed skating) for the most Olympic medals by a Korean athlete. She also matches Jeon Yi-kyung’s record for most Winter Olympic golds by a Korean, a feat that seemed almost unthinkable when Choi debuted at the Pyeongchang Games.
Choi’s journey to this moment hasn’t been without its hurdles. Earlier in Milan, she narrowly missed out on medals in the mixed 2000m relay and the 1000m individual event, and her teammate Kim Gilli was tripped by a U.S. skater in the mixed relay, dashing their hopes in that discipline. But Choi’s resilience and tactical brilliance were on full display in the relay final, especially as she deftly avoided the tumbling Dutch skater and surged forward when it mattered most. “I believe my role as a member of the team is to do my best as an athlete,” Choi reflected, according to local press, emphasizing the unity that drove their victory.
Unity, indeed, was the secret sauce for this gold. The team’s lineup—Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gilli, Noh Do-hee, and Shim Seok-hee—was a blend of experience and youthful hunger. Shim Seok-hee, now a five-time Olympic medalist (three gold, one silver, one bronze), played a pivotal role with her well-timed push on Choi in the closing laps. Notably, the team overcame past controversies, including a much-publicized incident from the 2018 Pyeongchang Games involving Choi and Shim, to come together for this golden moment. Choi even celebrated Shim’s birthday with her in Milan last month, a gesture that symbolized their renewed camaraderie.
Kim Gilli, at 22, stood out as the final-leg hero, adding her first Olympic gold to the bronze she won in the 1000m earlier in these Games. “It’s a dream come true,” Kim said after the race, her joy mirrored in the tearful celebrations on the ice. Noh Do-hee, another vital cog in the relay machine, contributed to the relentless pace and strategic exchanges that kept Korea in contention throughout the race. Isoyeon, who helped the team qualify in the semifinals, was also awarded a gold, marking a career milestone.
The celebrations were tinged with anticipation for what’s next. Choi Min-jeong is set to compete in the women’s 1500m on February 21, where she will aim for a historic third consecutive gold in that event—a feat never before achieved. Should she succeed, she would not only set a new record for most Olympic golds by a Korean athlete but also stand alone as the nation’s most decorated Olympian, summer or winter. Even a silver or bronze would see her break the all-time Korean medal record.
As the dust settles in Milan, the significance of this relay gold reverberates far beyond the rink. It’s a story of perseverance, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The South Korean women’s short track team has once again reminded the world why they are the standard-bearers in their sport. And with more races to come, the legend of Choi Min-jeong and her teammates is far from over.
All eyes now turn to the upcoming events, where Korea’s skaters will look to add yet more precious metal to their storied Olympic legacy. The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics may just be the stage for even greater feats in the days ahead.