Seoul: Short track speed skating legend Choi Min-jeong, the most decorated South Korean Olympian with seven career medals, announced that the upcoming 2026-27 international season will be her last. Choi, 27, revealed her decision after completing the first phase of the national team trials for the new season at Mokdong Ice Rink in western Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the national team list will be finalized following the second round of the trials scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Mokdong. Choi stated, "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."
Choi's illustrious career includes four gold medals and three silver medals over the past three Winter Olympics, in addition to numerous world championships and International Skating Union (ISU) World Tour medals. Although she announced at the end of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February that she would not compete in future Olympics, she left open the possibility of participating in other international events.
Choi explained that she has been contemplating the timing of her international retirement since before the Winter Olympics. The fact that next season's world championships will be held in Seoul in March 2027 influenced her decision, as she wanted to bid farewell to her fans on home ice.
Choi plans to maintain a normal routine in the upcoming season, emphasizing that putting too much emphasis on her final season could affect her concentration. The new ISU World Tour season is set to begin in October, and after the 2026-27 campaign, Choi intends to continue competing in domestic events.
"Retiring from international competitions will allow me to focus more on domestic races," she remarked. "I will skate at national events for a little longer before I retire for good."
The South Korean national short track trials are known for their competitiveness, with even Olympic medalists struggling to make the cut. Despite competing with a knee injury that required painkillers, Choi demonstrated her prowess by finishing first in the 500 meters and 1,000 meters, and third in the 1,500 meters. She currently holds the No. 1 position overall entering the second phase, making her a strong contender to finish in the top seven and secure her spot on the national team.
"Since making my decision to retire, I've been able to skate freely," Choi stated. "I think I've been able to post these good results because all the pressure is off."
Choi affirmed that she will not reconsider her decision to retire from international competitions. "In the new season, I want to be healthy and skate the way I've always wanted to," she concluded.