Kim Dong-Sung Makes It up to Last Olympics

“I’ll keep up until the Torino Olympics in 4 years.”

As he had to finish the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics in unexpected misfortune, Korean Short-Track’s star Kim Dong-Sung (22. Dongduchon City Office) has restored his honor by sweeping through all 6 titles in the International Short-Track Championship, which was held in Montreal, Canada, for the first time in men’s history on the 8th. For both men and ladies, his achievement is the first one since Canada’s Sylvia Digres in 1983.

After winning 1,500 meters and 500 meters on the previous day, Kim conquered 1,000 meters, 3,000 Super-finals, and 5,000 meter-relay, adding the individual championship to claim 6 titles in total. Korea has regained the overall-championship title in 5 years since 1997.

Although Kim’s rivals Anton Ohno (U.S.A.) and Marc Gagnon (Canada) were absent, the races were good enough to wash away all his regrets from the Winter Olympics.

After passing over a crisis with a last-minute spurt in the day’s 1,000 meters semifinals, Kim dashed to the forefront with 6 rounds left, and came in the first, followed by Ahn Hyun-Su (Shinmok High.) in the second position.

Also in the 3,000 meters, Kim worked well with Ahn to win by 5 minutes 19 seconds 041. He ran as the last runner in the 5,000 meter-relay after Ahn, Lee Seung-Jae (Seoul Univ.), and Ahn Jung-Hyun (Korean National Univ. of Physical Education), and led the team into victory after overtaking the Canadian racer in the last corner with a dramatic spurt. Kim is to receive 18 million won, as a prize for the tournament.

Meanwhile, Ahn Hyun-Su has stepped onto the 2nd position in the individual ranking, after he won 2 silver medals. In the ladies division, Yang A Yang (China) achieved her 6th consecutive individual victory, claiming 4 titles in total, and Choi Eun-Kyung (Se Hwa Girls’ High.) stood at the top in the 3,000 meters Super-finals. Choi also participated in the 3,000 meter-relay along with Joo Min-Jin, Park Hye-Won, and Choi Min-Kyung to overrun China, winning 2 titles in total.

Koh Gi-Hyun came second after Yang A Yang in the 1,000 meters, and also came second on the individual list with 2 silvers, 1 bronze, and 63 points.

Keuk-In Bae bae2150@donga.com