"(Kim) Gilly was crying" Choi Min-jeong, who finished 8th, gave Kim Ki-li a big hug... Dignity that wiped away "Senior's Tears", not yourself [the scene of Milan]

*This content was translated by AI.

Choi Min-jeong (Seongnam City Hall), who failed to advance to the final, comforted her junior Kim Ki-li (Seongnam City Hall), who won the bronze medal.

Choi Min-jeong ranked eighth in the women's 1,000m short track speed skating event at the '2026 Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics' held at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy on the 16th (local time).

He failed to make it to the finals, finishing 4th out of 5 in the semi-final group 2. Choi Min-jeong, who started from the back, went around the out course from the beginning and raised her ranking to third place. However, the top-ranked players did not give up any time. He tried to come from behind until the last lap, but eventually crossed the finish line in fourth place in the group, swallowing regret. In the next round of ranking matches (Final B), he ranked third.

As a result, Choi Min-jeong failed to reach the final in the 1,000m following the mixed 2000m relay and 500m relay. However, she still has a chance to recover her honor in the main events of the 1,500-meter and women's 3,000-meter relay races.

Choi Min-jeong's face, which she met in the joint coverage area (Mix Zone) after the game, showed a sense of regret. "It was unfortunate, but it was because I wasn't good enough anyway," he said. "I think I need to accept it quickly and prepare well for the next game."

At the same time, he cited 'tactical judgment' and 'start' as disappointing points. Choi Min-jeong said, "There was some tactical regret," and added, "The starting position for the 1,000m is important now, but it was a pity that I ran the game in a hurry because the position was a little back."

He added, "I think the game didn't go well in many ways as we bumped into each other during the pursuit process."

Although his results were regrettable, he gave generous applause to Kim Ki-li (Seongnam City Hall), the next-generation ace and junior in Korean short track. He was also seen warmly comforting Kim Ki-li, who was in tears after crossing the finish line in third place and winning a bronze medal in the final.

Choi Min-jeong said, "(Kim)Gilli cried a lot. So I wanted to soothe him quickly, so I hugged him and told him, "Good job." "First of all, I'm so proud and proud that a Korean athlete won a medal," he said, expressing sincere congratulations on his junior's achievements.

Although Choi's medal hunt in the 1,000m failed, Choi's Olympics are not over yet. The 1500m and women's relay remain. Choi Min-jeong said, "We still have the main events of 1,500m and women's relay," adding, "We will do our best to show what we have prepared for the rest of the game."

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*This content was translated by AI.