Tears at the Coronation Ceremony: How Kim Gilli's Double Gold and Choi Minjeong's Retirement Announcement Etched a New Chapter in 30 Years of Korean Short Track History
At the Milano Winter Olympics women's 1500m short track final, Kim Gilli (22) won gold and Choi Minjeong (28) took silver for a Korean 'gold-silver sweep.' Choi announced her Olympic retirement immediately after the race, finishing her final event with a record 7 medals — the most ever by a Korean athlete across both Summer and Winter Olympics.
Why You Should Watch This Now: A veteran's retirement announcement and a rising star's double gold colliding in one moment — the most perfect drama sport can create unfolded on the ice in Milan.
TL;DR
- On February 20, 2026 (February 21, Korean time), the women's 1500m short track final was held at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Italy.
- Kim Gilli (22, Seongnam City Hall) won gold with a time of 2:32.076, while defending champion Choi Minjeong (28, Seongnam City Hall) took silver.
- Choi announced her Olympic retirement immediately after the race, closing her final event with a record 7 medals — the most ever by a Korean athlete across both Summer and Winter Olympics.
- Kim Gilli became Korea's first double gold medalist at the Games, having already won the 3000m relay.
- The nickname 'Lamborghini-Gilli' exploded on social media and topped real-time search rankings.
The Facts: A History Made in 2 Minutes and 32 Seconds
The 2026 Milano-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics women's 1500m short track final (February 20, local time) inscribed two simultaneous records into Korean sports history.
Kim Gilli's Record
- Time: 2:32.076 (Gold Medal)
- First double gold medalist for Korea at these Games, winning both the 3000m relay and the individual 1500m
- Olympic champion in this event at just 22 years old
Choi Minjeong's Record
- Silver in 1500m brings her Olympic career total to 7 medals
- All-time Korean medal record across both Summer and Winter Olympics
- Tied with Jeon Yi-kyung for most gold medals by a Korean Winter Olympics athlete (4 golds)
- Retirement announcement after the race: "This was my final Olympic stage"
Why It Went Viral: 'Lamborghini-Gilli' and the Overtaking Controversy
In the final two laps of the race, footage of Kim Gilli explosively overtaking race-leader Choi Minjeong on the outside lane spread rapidly online, sparking speculation that 'Choi let her win.' Kim Gilli quickly responded directly: "I overtook her with my own ability," and Choi herself put the controversy to rest, saying, "I'm even happier that Kim Gilli finished first."
The nickname fans coined from that moment was 'Lamborghini-Gilli' — meaning she blasted through like a Lamborghini — which dominated real-time social media trends.
"I had a dream of winning a gold medal at the Olympics just like my role model Choi Minjeong. I achieved that dream." — Kim Gilli
Context & Background: The Completion of Short Track's 'Generational Transition'
Choi Minjeong's 10-Year Legacy
| Event | Medal |
|---|---|
| 2018 PyeongChang | Gold (1500m), Gold (3000m relay) |
| 2022 Beijing | Gold (1500m), Silver (3000m relay), Silver (1000m) |
| 2026 Milano | Gold (3000m relay), Silver (1500m) |
For over a decade, she dominated every competitor with her trademark explosive outside-lane overtake — a move her rivals knew was coming but could never stop.
Kim Gilli: Carrying on Choi Minjeong's Legacy
Kim Gilli grew up training alongside Choi Minjeong on the same team, looking up to her as a role model. At this Milano Games, she surpassed that very role model, and fans called it a 'coronation ceremony.'
Outlook: The 'Post-Choi Minjeong' Race Toward the Next Olympics
With Choi's retirement, the post-Choi Minjeong era begins in earnest as the sport looks toward the 2030 Alpine Winter Olympics. Given that Kim Gilli is just 22, she has at least two more Winter Olympics opportunities ahead of her, and she is well-positioned to become Korea's new short track ace.
Korea reaffirmed its status as the world's top short track nation at Milano, recording a total haul of approximately 3 golds and 2 silvers in short track while China underperformed.