Kim Gilli Claims Double Gold, Tearful After Choi's Retirement News

Kim Gilli of Seongnam City Hall burst into tears upon hearing about Choi Min-jeong's Olympic retirement.

Kim could not contain her emotions in the mixed zone after overtaking Choi to win gold in the women's 1500m short track final at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 21 at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Choi, who spoke with reporters before Kim, announced her Olympic retirement following the race. She expressed pride in passing the ace position to her beloved younger teammate.

When Kim heard this, she asked "Really?" and was unable to speak for some time as tears streamed down her face. "I'm truly grateful she said that. I know how hard she worked," Kim said with difficulty.

"I learned so much from Min-jeong and received a lot of help from her," she added. "I want to become a great athlete like her."

In the final, Kim and Choi competed for first place in the closing stages. Running in second, Kim overtook Choi with explosive late-race power to cross the finish line first and claim gold, while Choi took silver.

Kim prevented Choi's three-peat in the event and became a double gold medalist at these Games. After the race, Choi embraced the tearful Kim in encouragement. On the podium, Choi smiled while secretly wiping away tears.

Kim could not hide her intense emotions upon learning belatedly that this was Choi's final Olympic appearance. Asked about winning gold, she said: "I wanted to win gold in both the women's 3000m relay and the 1500m, and I'm happy to have achieved that goal. I gave my best in my position."

"I wanted to stand on the podium with Min-jeong, and I'm glad I achieved that," she continued. "I can't believe I won Olympic gold competing alongside an athlete I've admired since childhood."

Regarding her strategy of conserving energy at the back before surging forward with Choi in the final stretch, Kim said: "We seemed to be on the same wavelength. We didn't discuss tactics beforehand."

When asked whether she would challenge Choi's record of seven Olympic medals—the most by any Korean athlete—Kim vowed: "I will do my absolute best."