On the day that Lee Seung Hoon, a legend in South Korean speed skating, set a new record for the most medals won by a South Korean athlete in Asian Winter Games history, a new star named Lee Na Hyun was born. As she began to shine on the international stage, the young skater immediately declared her ambition: “One day, I hope to follow in Lee Seung Hoon’s footsteps and challenge his record for the most medals.”
The South Korean speed skating team competing at the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games had a highly successful Tuesday.
Lee Seung Hoon, alongside Jung Jae Won and Park Sang Un, secured a silver medal in the men’s team pursuit at the Heilongjiang Skating Training Center’s Speed Skating Oval with a time of 3 minutes 47.99 seconds.
Having already won four medals at the 2011 Astana-Almaty Games and another four at the 2017 Sapporo Games, Lee’s latest achievement brought his total medal count to nine, surpassing short track skater Kim Dong Sung to become the South Korean athlete with the most medals in Asian Winter Games history.
Although already a legendary athlete, Lee Seung Hoon has now cemented his place among the true greats. Winning the most medals in Asian Winter Games history is the ultimate reward for his consistency and dedication.
On the same day, another South Korean skater, 17 years younger than Lee, took her first steps toward a future legacy of her own. The spotlight was on Lee Na Hyun, who made her Asian Games debut at this tournament.
Lee Na Hyun won four medals at the Games, winning gold in the 100-meter sprint and team sprint and bronze in the 500-meter and 1000-meter events. Regarded as one of the top prospects to follow in the footsteps of South Korean speed skating icon Lee Sang Hwa, her outstanding performance in Harbin cemented her status as the future face of South Korean women’s speed skating.
“I still can’t believe I won all these medals,” said Lee Na Hyun, expressing her excitement and disbelief. She added, “I feel proud that all my hard work has paid off.”
Lee Na Hyun’s four-medal haul at this year’s Games is the same number Lee Seung Hoon won in his first Asian Games appearance 14 years ago. At the time, no one knew it would mark the beginning of a legendary career, but that was the start of history. Likewise, Lee Na Hyun’s achievements in Harbin may well be the start of a new era.
“Winning more than nine medals won’t be easy, but if I get the opportunity, I will push myself even harder with that record in mind,” said Lee Na Hyun, setting her sights on a new goal.
Now officially a legend, Lee Seung Hoon responded, “I am honored and happy to have set this new record. I hope my juniors will break this record soon.”
