Korean women short track finally put an end to the ‘no gold’ drought.

The relay team of Choi Min-jeong and Kim Gil-li (both Seongnam City Hall), Noh Do-hee (Hwaseong City Hall), and Shim Suk-hee (Seoul City Hall) won the women 3000m at the Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on the 19th at the 2026 Milano·Cortina Winter Olympics, crossing the finish line first ahead of Italy and Canada in 4 minutes 4.014 seconds.

South Korea had been a powerhouse in the Olympic women relay, with 6 golds (1 silver) from the 8 editions held so far. But after taking silver at the Beijing 2022 Games behind the Netherlands, they mounted a bid to regain gold after 8 years. It delivered the second gold for the Korean delegation at these Olympics, following Choi Ga-on (Sehwa High School) in women snowboard halfpipe.

It is the fourth short track medal of these Games, but the first gold.

On the 15th, Korea advanced to the final as group winner in the semifinal, ahead of Canada, China, and Japan. In the final against the Netherlands, Canada, and Italy, Korea chased the leaders from third after the strong favorite Netherlands dropped out mid race. With Choi Min-jeong leading a late surge, Kim Gil-li, skating last, defended the lead to the finish and celebrated.

Having won 3 golds and 2 silvers at the previous two Olympics, Choi Min-jeong hung her sixth career medal around her neck, tying the Korean record for most Summer·Winter Olympic medals (6) shared by Jin Jong-oh (shooting), Kim Su-nyung (archery), and Lee Seung-hoon (speed skating). She also tied the Korean record for most Winter Olympic golds, alongside short tracker Jeon I-gyeong (4).