Concerns over home advantage have arisen once again with the upcoming Winter Asian Games in China. Instead of expecting sportsmanship from China, South Korea must deliver flawless performances. The national short track speed skating team, widely trusted for its skill, is brimming with confidence, believing it can overcome any challenge.
Recognized as the strongest short track team in the world, South Korea has the highest medal expectations in international winter multi-sport competitions. Three years ago, at the Beijing Winter Olympics, South Korea won five out of the nine medals that came from short track. Both of the country’s gold medals also came from short track.
The short track has always been a standout event for South Korea in the past Winter Asian Games.
South Korea has won 34 out of the 72 gold medals awarded in Asian Games short track events, leading China, which has won 29. In total medals, South Korea dominates with 96 (34 gold, 35 silver, 27 bronze), far ahead of China’s 67.
For the 2024-25 season, South Korea remains a powerhouse on the short track. Across four International Skating Union (ISU) World Tour events held so far, South Korea has won five gold, eleven silver, and eight bronze medals—more than any other Asian team. The country’s total medal count is more than twice that of China, which has won four gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.
Expectations are high for another golden run in the short track at the Harbin Asian Games.
However, South Korea cannot afford to let its guard down, as the competition will take place in China.
South Korean athletes were disqualified at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics due to questionable officiating, while China benefited from biased calls and won two gold medals.
At the beginning of the Games, South Korea lodged strong protests, prompting the ISU to make an unprecedented mid-competition commitment to prevent further biased officiating. After the home advantage seemed to fade in the latter half of the short track events, South Korea won two gold and three silver medals, maintaining its top position in the discipline.
Concerns about home advantage have surfaced once again. According to skating community sources, the chief referee for this competition is known to be favorable toward Chinese skaters. This raises concerns because referees wield considerable influence in the short track.
Nonetheless, South Korean athletes are determined to overcome home advantage with their superior skills.
South Korean short track national team head coach Yoon Jae Myung said, “We anticipate China’s home advantage. However, with our athletes’ abilities, we can fully overcome it.” He added, “Our goal is to win six gold medals.”
Kim Gil Ri of Seongnam City Hall, who recently swept all five of her events at the Winter World University Games, also expressed confidence, stating, “South Korean short track is far superior to China’s, so we will overcome with our skills.”
Choi Min Jeong of Seongnam City Hall, who already experienced China’s home advantage three years ago, took a cautious approach. She shared her insights: “We need to compete while avoiding collisions with other athletes as much as possible. Safe and precise overtaking and competition will lead to good results.”
The short track events will begin with preliminary rounds on the 7th, followed by the finals for the mixed relay, men’s and women’s 500m, and 1500m on the 8th. On the 9th, finals for the men’s and women’s 1500m, men’s 5000m relay, and women’s 3000m relay will take place.