Short-trackers eye Viktor An in 2018 Games

National team confident of victories ahead of Seoul World Cup to kick off on Friday

By Kwon Ji-youn

Korean short-track skaters brushed off concerns about the country’s recent slump at international short-track events and vowed to make impressions at the upcoming International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup and 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

At a media day press conference Wednesday — two days ahead of the World Cup event to take place at the Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul — members of the men’s team in particular stressed that they are always aiming to outskate Korean-born Russian skater Viktor An, and added that they are confident that they will fare well in longer-distance events at both the World Cup and Olympics.

A day earlier, the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) promised a fourth-place finish with at least 20 medals in PyeongChang.

“The men’s team always trains with the goal of beating An, and our aim for the PyeongChang Games is to bring home all the gold medals,” said national team captain Kwak Yoon-gy after a training session at the Mokdong rink.

“If we avoid injuries and practice as we always have, I don’t foresee any major problems.”

An, who switched allegiance to skate for Russia, will not make an appearance at the Seoul World Cup, slated for Friday through Sunday, but is expected to provide fierce competition in PyeongChang.

Kwak, who spent two years away from the national team due to an injury, noted that he has been learning a lot from his younger teammates who are better-acquainted with new trends in short-track speed skating.

“During the two years I was away, so much has changed,” Kwak said. “Korea used to be the best at knowing when to lead and when to overtake, but now foreign skaters are just as familiar with such techniques. Thankfully, our coach is well-aware of such changes in trends.”

The 25-year-old, who topped the podium in the 500-meter event in Shanghai, was joined by Coach Kim Sun-tae, and teammates Sin Da-woon, Shim Suk-hee and Choi Min-jeong at the press event.

Sochi Olympic gold-medalist Shim, 17, who settled for two silvers at the World Cup event in Shanghai last week, vowed to make up for any weaknesses and to stage a solid race at the Seoul event.

“I’m never completely satisfied with a race,” Shim said. “There’s always something I could have done better, and the same goes for my race at Shanghai.”

Shim said that while there is a certain amount of rivalry among national team skaters, Choi, who surprised fans with consecutive golds in Montreal and Shanghai, provides competition in its best form.

“We rely on each other, and at times, offer each other advice,” Choi said. “My objective is not to beat Shim, but to do my best. Rather than focusing on the results, I want to acquire as much experience as possible.”

Coach Kim commented that while the women’s team is in good form ahead of the World Cup, the men’s team is lacking confidence.

“The performance of our male skaters has become an international standard,” Kim said. “So if we don’t win in speed, we fall behind. We need to work on technique, positioning, on building confidence and on communication.

“But there is no doubt that Korea remains a powerhouse in short-track,” he added.

He expressed confidence in the KOC’s resolve for at least five gold medals in short-track at PyeongChang.

“The women’s team is still young and will be able to bring home golds in all events but perhaps the 500-meter,” he said. “And the men’s team remains strong in the 1,500-meter and relay. The goal seems doable.”

The Seoul World Cup will kick off on Friday with the heats; and the women’s 1,000-meter and 3,000-meter, and the men’s 1,500-meter and 1,000-meter will take place on Saturday. Sunday will feature the women’s 500-meter and 1,500-meter, and the men’s 500-meter and 3,000-meter events. Both relays will take place on Sunday.

Follow Kwon Ji-youn on Twitter@jennajykwon