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MILAN — In a display of sheer willpower and athletic resilience, South Korea’s short-track ace Hwang Dae-heon (Gangwon Provincial Office) has secured a hard-fought silver medal at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, overcoming a devastating injury suffered just two months ago.
A Podium Finish Against All Odds
On February 15th (KST), at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, Hwang crossed the finish line in the Men’s 1,500m final with a time of 2:12.31, trailing closely behind the gold medalist, Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands (2:12.21).
The victory marks a historic milestone for Hwang, as he has now successfully medaled in three consecutive Winter Olympic Games:
2018 Pyeongchang: Silver (500m)
2022 Beijing: Gold (1,500m), Silver (5,000m Relay)
2026 Milano-Cortina: Silver (1,500m)
This silver is the second medal for the South Korean short-track team in this tournament, following Lim Jong-eon’s bronze in the Men’s 1,000m.
The Road to the Final: A "Miraculous" Survival
Hwang’s journey to the podium was anything but smooth. After a strong start in the quarter-finals, he faced a crisis in the semi-finals, crossing the line in 3rd place. Typically, only the top two advance to the final; however, after Japan's Shogo Miyata was disqualified, Hwang was promoted to the final round.
The final was a chaotic "9-man battle."
Early Patience: Hwang remained at the back of the pack, scouting for an opening.
The Turning Point: With 5 laps remaining, a collision took out three competitors. Hwang seized the opportunity to move into 3rd.
The Final Sprint: With 2 laps to go, he overtook Canada’s William Dandjinou to secure the silver.
Overcoming a "Career-Threatening" Injury
What makes this silver medal shine brighter than gold for many fans is the context of Hwang's physical condition. In December 2025, during the ISU World Tour 4th Round, Hwang suffered a partial rupture of his left thigh ligament after a severe fall.
Initially, his participation in the Olympics was in doubt. However, through the intensive support of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) medical team and his own relentless determination, he managed to recover just in time for the Games. Though he narrowly missed defending his title as the 1,500m champion, his performance proved he remains a world-class contender.
Other Results: Team Korea’s Golden Ambitions
South Korea’s presence in Milan continues to be felt across other events:
Men’s 1,500m: Shin Dong-min delivered a strong performance, finishing 4th just behind the podium finishers.
Women’s 3,000m Relay: The team advanced to the final in 1st place (4:04.729), seeking their first relay gold in 8 years.
Women’s 1,000m: All three Korean skaters—Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gil-li, and No Do-hee—successfully passed the preliminary rounds.
"Hwang's silver is not just a medal; it is a testament to the spirit of a champion who refused to be sidelined by pain," remarked a local sports commentator.
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