By Min Yea-Ji and Lee Hana
Photos = Yonhap News

Team Korea won a gold and a bronze in short track speed skating at the PyeongChang Olympics on Feb. 17, a feat worthy of its reputation as a short track powerhouse.

Choi Minjeong secured a gold in the women's 1,500 m finals, crossing the finish line at 2 m 24.948 s. The race took place at the Gangneung Ice Arena.

Choi started off the race in the middle of the pack, but picked up pace and sped through the last three laps, outrunning all her competitors. China's Li Jinyu finished behind Choi at 2 m 25.703 s, while Canada's Kim Boutin placed third, at 2 m 25.834 s.

Choi, who won her first Olympic gold at PyeongChang, said that she was feeling a surge of emotion, having achieved a goal she had worked toward for the past four years. "I want to give credit to everyone who supported me on this journey. It's thanks to them that I was able to perform at my best. I also want to thank the supporters here today for giving me the strength to reach for my goal," she said.



In the men's 1,000 m finals, Team Korea's Seo Yira earned an invaluable bronze.

Seo, along with PyeongChang 1,500 m gold medalist Lim Hyojun, initially lead the race but right before the last two laps, Seo collided with Hungary's Shaolin Sandor Liu, who had attempted to overtake the Korean skaters.

Seo, having fallen down, got straight back up and raced to the finish line in third place, behind Canada's Samuel Girard in first, and the U.S.'s John-Henry Krueger in second.

"It's a shame I fell down, but it was my first ever Olympics, and I'm happy that I got to compete in the first Winter Games hosted by Korea. I did my very best, and so regardless of my result, I want to enjoy the festival," said Seo.

With several medals under its belt, Team Korea will continue its chase in the women's 1,000 m, men's 500 m, and women's 3,000 m relay finals on Feb. 20.

jesimin@korea.kr