South Korea’s Short Track Dominance at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, set to open on the 6th, will once again feature short track speed skating as a key event for South Korea. Known as a ‘reliable pillar’ in the sport, South Korea has secured 33 gold medals across all Winter Olympics, with an impressive 26 of those coming from short track. To meet its goal of winning at least three gold medals and placing within the top 10 in the overall standings, South Korea must realistically secure at least two golds in short track.
However, the results from this season’s four World Tour events have not been encouraging. In the men’s division, Canada has taken eight of the 16 gold medals available, surpassing South Korea’s four. This marks a significant shift in dominance, as Canada, previously led by Charles Hamelin, now has a new generation of athletes, including William Dangisnu, who is leading the charge.
William Dangisnu: The New Canadian Powerhouse
William Dangisnu, a Canadian athlete of Ivorian heritage, has emerged as a dominant force in short track. He has won the ‘Crystal Globe,’ awarded to the ISU (International Skating Union) World Tour overall ranking leader, for the past two consecutive seasons. All eight gold medals Canada won this season—including one relay—were his. His versatility is evident as he swept the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, and 5000m relay at the second World Tour event in October last year.
In the season rankings, Dangisnu topped the 500m and 1500m while placing fifth in the 1000m, securing the overall first position with 824 points. Among South Korean athletes, Rim Jong-un recorded the highest rank at eighth place with 363 points.
Dangisnu’s background is unique. His father migrated to the French-speaking Quebec region of Canada to escape civil war and worked as a manager at a university outdoor skating rink, which naturally brought Dangisnu close to ice. Debuting on the senior stage in 2019, he was only on the reserve list for the 2022 Beijing Olympics without a chance to compete. However, his skills exploded over the next four years, culminating in a 1000m gold at the 2024 Rotterdam World Championships.
Physical Advantages and Competitive Style
Standing at 191 cm, Dangisnu is one of the tallest athletes in short track. While his high center of gravity slightly reduces agility, his explosive power and acceleration from his large frame are overwhelming. His style of leading the race from the front early on and rarely giving opponents a chance to overtake makes him a challenging opponent for Rim Jong-un, who aims to conserve energy early and make a comeback in the latter stages.
In the women’s division, Canada remains a major hurdle for South Korea. Of the 16 gold medals in this season’s World Tour, Canada took six, the Netherlands five, and South Korea four. The women’s ‘Crystal Globe’ winner is Courtney Sarault, 26 years old. The daughter of Yves Sarault, a former NHL (National Hockey League) player, she initially tried figure skating but switched to short track at age seven after losing interest.
Sarault has consistently represented Canada in international competitions since 2018 but was out of reach of the world’s top ranks for some time. In particular, in 2024, she faced a crisis in her athletic career as her anxiety grew with training and she struggled to recover afterward. An unexpected accident became a turning point. In September that year, she fell while skating and suffered a concussion, forcing her to take a mandatory break. During this period, she regained psychological stability and recovered her physical condition.
Since then, Sarault’s skills have elevated to another level. While she was previously criticized for having good endurance but poor race management, she now competes without being overshadowed by South Korean athletes like Choi Min-jeong and Kim Gil-li, who are strong in the final stages.
Sarault is expected to engage in fierce competition with Choi Min-jeong, who is aiming for her third consecutive Olympic gold medal. In this season’s World Tour, Sarault won one gold in the 500m, three in the 1000m, and one in the 1500m, securing the season’s overall first place with 810 points. Choi Min-jeong placed fourth with 566 points, and Kim Gil-li fifth with 516 points.