Choi Min-jung Falls Short of Finals in Third Consecutive Event

South Korean short track veteran Choi Min-jung (28, Seongnam City Hall) suffered another setback in the women's 1000m at the Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, failing to reach the medal rounds for the third consecutive event.

On February 16 (Korea time), Choi finished fourth in the women's 1000m semifinal at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, missing the final. She then placed third in Final B to conclude her 1000m competition.

The 2022 Beijing Olympics 1500m gold medalist has yet to capture a medal at these Games.

In her first event, the mixed team relay 2000m, Choi was eliminated in the semifinals. She then failed to advance past the semifinals in the 500m, and now the 1000m has ended without a finals appearance.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the race, Choi said with a stern expression, "It's disappointing. In any case, this happened because of my own shortcomings, so I'll accept it quickly and prepare well for the next events—the 1500m and the 3000m relay."

Explaining her failure to reach the final, she said, "There were tactical regrets. Starting position has become important in the 1000m now, and since I was positioned toward the back, I rushed early in the race, which was unfortunate. Things didn't go my way in various aspects, including situations where blades collided during overtaking attempts."

Choi pledged to rebound, saying, "With two events still remaining, I will show everything I've prepared to the fullest."

Meanwhile, watching teammate Kim Gil-li (Seongnam City Hall) win the bronze medal in the final, Choi smiled and said, "I'm so proud that a Korean athlete won a medal. Gil-li was crying tears of joy, so I wanted to comfort her. I hugged her and told her, 'Great job, congratulations.'"