Kim Min-sun (24, Uijeongbu City Hall), who was born in the Year of the Rabbit, had the best year of 2023. In the 2022-2023 season, which ended in February, she won the ISU Speed Skating World Cup Women's 500m event. She won five gold and one silver in six races, lifting the champion's trophy. Kim Min-sun, who became the skating queen, said, "I'm glad that we've had a good result."
However, the 2023-2024 season, which opened in October this year, experienced ups and downs. He ranked fifth in the first competition, and failed to win the title as he ranked second and third in two races. Suddenly, he showed sluggish performance due to his 靴. "I had to change my shoes ahead of this season, but I felt uncomfortable.
"Players often say that finding the right shoes for them is a once-in-a-lifetime event. They are particularly sensitive to shoes as they compete for up to 1/1,000th second. Usually, people wear skates for about three years, but they have worn them for four years now. I tried to adjust to my shoes in advance with the next Olympics in mind (Milan in 2026), but I felt uncomfortable. I had to go back to my old shoes," Kim said.
Changing shoes solved the problem. She won her first gold medal of the season in the third competition and also grabbed the top spot in the first race of the fourth competition. In the second race, she ranked second after Erin Jackson of the U.S. (374 points) in World Cup ranking points as well. Kim Min-sun confessed, "I realized that it was harder to maintain the top position than to be No. 1. I felt pressure and it was hard to enjoy."
There are three races left in the 2023-24 season, which runs through February next year. It is impossible to win on one's own. However, if all of them reach the top spot, there is a chance for them to come from behind to win the title. "I have confidence that I can do well. I am not sure, but I will do my best until the end," Kim said. When it comes to technology, what I pay most attention to is starting. "This season's 100-meter dash record ranged from 10.5 to 10.6 seconds, but he recorded 10.49 seconds for the first time in the last race. My goal is to consistently enter the 10.4s and shoot the 10.3s," Kim said.
Kim first skated when she was 11. She started out as a hobbyist in short track, but rose to prominence after switching to long track. "Short track involves a lot of physical struggle and many variables. I like to run alone, so I think speed skating is the right choice," Kim said. Kim, who won the gold medal (500m) at the 2016 Lillehammer Youth Olympics, clocked 37.70 seconds in July the following year, breaking Lee Sang-hwa's new world junior record (37.81 seconds) in 2007. She also acquired the title of "The successor to Lee Sang-hwa."
However, she suddenly had back pain 10 days before the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, her first Olympic Games. "I had severe lumbar spine pain, which made it difficult to wash my face. It also hurt when I bent down to put on my shoes. I took painkillers and participated in the Olympics. I couldn't recover more because I had to race too hard. Different hospitals have different diagnoses, so I had a hard time. I underwent core strengthening training through various treatments and rehabilitation," she said. However, she ranked seventh at the Beijing Olympics, where medalists were expected.
However, as back pain has gone away since last year, his record has been getting better and better. With the advice of Jegal Seong-ryeol, head coach of Uijeongbu City Hall, he is now able to stage powerful race until the end of the race while exercising mid- to long-distance training. "The pain has suddenly disappeared. It's unbelievable, but on the other hand, I think it's a relief," Kim Min-sun said.
We also had a meaningful time in June. The first fan meeting was held and we met with fans. Kim said, "I was so excited and worried. I didn't have many opportunities to meet fans because there were many international competitions, but I was glad to show my new side. I felt that I was really supported by fans." She also danced to songs by girl group BLACKPINK for her fans. "I worked hard while going to academies. I played in front of many audiences, but it was a completely different feeling," Kim said with a smile.
Heals himself by spending time with his pet dog Mocha. "I used to have hobbies such as baking and doing activities, but now I like to take a break. I like going for a walk with my dog or eating with my friends and going to a cafe," he said. "Mocha was a stray dog that I was temporarily protecting at a cafe near Jincheon National Training Center. The moment I saw her, I wanted to raise her, so I brought her here." 스포츠토토
There are two years and two months left before the Milan Olympics. "I will improve my skills over the next two years," Kim Min-sun, who was even in tears after failing to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics, said. "The meaning is different, but if I win a medal at the Olympics, I think I will cry again. I wish I could win a gold medal and cry."