Choi Minjeong (center), Kim Gilli (left) and Lee So-yeon, who won the gold, silver and bronze medal, respectively, in women's 500-m short track at the Asian Winter Games, on Feb. 8 wave the national flag Taegeukgi in front of fans at Multifunctional Hall of Heilongjiang Ice Training Center in Harbin, China. (Yonhap News)
By Charles Audouin
The national team over the weekend presented a dominating performance at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.
From Feb. 8-9, Korea won 11 gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals at the competition, which was resumed this month after an eight-year hiatus, to rank second in the overall medal standings after host country China.
Attesting to its world-best status in short track, Korea won six golds in the spot. The mixed team of Park Jiwon, Kim Taesung, Choi Minjeong and Kim Gilli won the 2,000-m relay, and Park also claimed the men's individual 1,500 m and Kim Gilli the women's 1,500 m.
In the women's 500 m, Choi took the gold, Kim Gilli was runner-up and Lee So-yeon third for an all-Korean winner's podium.
Park Jiwon (right) on Feb. 8 competes in the men's individual 1,500-m short track final at the Asian Winter Games held at Multifunctional Hall of Heilongjiang Ice Training Center in Harbin, China. (Yonhap News)
On Feb. 9, Choi won the gold in the women's individual 1,000 m, while Jang Sungwoo took the gold and Park silver in the men's individual 1,000 m.
Korea's hot streak spilled over to speed skating. On Feb. 8, Lee Nahyun took first and Kim Min-sun second in the women's individual 100 m, and the next day, the latter kissed the gold and the former the silver in the women's 500 m.
In the team sprint the same day, both competitors teamed up to win the gold with Kim Minji.
Lee Seunghun on Feb. 8 flies in the air in the men's freeski halfpipe at the Asian Winter Games held at Yabuli Ski Resort in Harbin, China. (AP Yonhap News)
Korea also soared on the slopes. Lee Seunghun on Feb. 8 for the men won his nation's first gold in the freeski halfpipe, and snowboarder Lee Chaeun won the men's slopestyle with 90 points. Gim Sohui was the runner-up in the women's slalom and Jung Donghyun took the silver in the men's slalom.
In mixed doubles curling, the team of Kim Kyeongae and Seong Jihoon won the silver the same day.
On Feb. 10, Korea was scheduled to vie for medals in speed skating, cross-country skiing and snowboarding.
caudouin@korea.kr
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