Coverage Overview

Short track speed skating icon Choi Min-jeong has secured victory in the national team trials for the 2026-2027 season, a competition that will mark her final international campaign, according to multiple reports from Yonhap News Agency.

The 27-year-old, who holds a record seven Olympic medals for South Korea, finished first overall in the women's competition after the two-stage trials concluded Sunday at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul.

Choi's dominance was clear throughout the trials. She won the 500m and 1,000m in the first phase, placed third in the 1,500m, and then captured all three distance finals in the second round — the 500m and 1,500m on Saturday, and the 1,000m on Sunday.

Key Claims

  • Choi Min-jeong won the national team trials for the 2026-2027 season, finishing first overall in the women's competition, as reported by Yonhap.
  • Choi announced that the 2026-2027 season will be her last representing South Korea internationally, with plans to continue skating domestically afterward.
  • Choi cited the world championships being held in Seoul next season as a factor in her decision, saying she wanted her farewell to happen on home ice.
  • Kim Gil-li earned an automatic berth for the 2026-2027 season after winning two individual gold medals at the world championships, according to a claim carried by one Yonhap article.

Retirement Announcement and Rationale

Choi's intention to retire from international competition was first reported on April 9, after she completed the first phase of the trials. At that time, she told reporters, "I think this will be my last national team trials. If I do make the team, then it will be my final season representing the country."

She elaborated on her thought process, saying, "I've been thinking about the timing of my international retirement since before the Winter Olympics. The fact that the world championships will be in Seoul next season (in March 2027) influenced my decision. I wanted to have my last farewell in front of fans on home ice."

This statement, reported by Yonhap, indicates that the location of the next world championships played a role in her timing. Choi had previously said after the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February that she would not compete in future Olympics but left the door open for other international events.

Her Final Season

Choi's victory at the trials confirms she will have the opportunity to close her international career as she wishes. She stated, "I want to put on a great show for fans in Korea at my final international competition," according to the April 12 report. She also mentioned that she skated through knee pain during the trials but added, "Now that my season is over, I will focus on rehabbing my injury and getting ready for the new season."

Choi plans to skate at domestic events after the 2026-2027 season. "Retiring from international competitions will allow me to focus more on domestic races," she said. "I will skate at national events for a little longer before I..." — her final words were not included in the available extract.

Other Results and Team Composition

The trials also saw Shim Suk-hee, who competed with Choi at this year's Winter Olympics, finish second overall. Additionally, Kim Gil-li, another Olympic squad member, earned an automatic berth for the 2026-2027 season after winning two individual gold medals at the world championships last month, as noted in the April 12 report. This detail, while sourced from a single Yonhap article, aligns with the official selection rules for the national team.