Ace skater Kwak Yoon-ki vies for Olympics medals

Korean short track skating has been in a slump since the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Some say Korean men’s national team lacks an ace skater, but it has Kwak Yoon-ki (26), the oldest skater.

In the 2015-2016 first and second ISU World Cup championships, Kwak won the gold medal in 1,500 meter competition, the bronze medal in the 1,000 meter competition in the second event, and the silver in the 500 meter competition in the third championship, achieving successful results in all different competitions.

Kwak has recently changed skate blade from the one that was produced by his father working in metal business. He had used the blade for 20 years. “It was a very difficult decision for me and my father. I have not been completely familiarized with the new blade, but it is fortunate that my score has improved after changing,” he said.

“I am sharing technique and experience while freely holding talks with my teammates. Once a week, I have dinner with younger colleagues, mentoring each other and giving advice," Kwak said. "Critics say that the national team is in a crisis because its performance is not quite good. To demonstrate that their argument is groundless, we are further strengthening our teamwork.”

Kwak is currently serving as a member of the national team for the seventh year. He aims to take part not only in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics but also in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. “Short track is the one that I can do best. I want to show younger skaters that they can be successful in the sport until a relatively advanced age,” he said.

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