SEOUL - Following their triumphant returns from the World Cup season, South Korean short track speed skaters Park Ji-won and Kim Gil-li have set their sights on further victories at the forthcoming world championships. The duo arrived back in South Korea on Tuesday, having clinched the men's and women's overall titles respectively in the 2023-2024 International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup Short Track Speed Skating season, culminating in Poland.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Park and Kim were awarded the Crystal Globe trophy, marking them as the overall champions of the season. Park, aged 27, secured his second consecutive overall title with a total of 1,071 points, edging out Steven Dubois of Canada by 19 points. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Kim captured her inaugural Crystal Globe with 1,211 points, surpassing Kristen Santos-Griswold of the United States by 31 points.
The ISU introduced the Crystal Globe last season to honor the World Cup overall points leaders. Points were distributed based on individual race outcomes, with each victory contributing 100 points to a competitor's total. Park achieved six gold medals across the World Cup circuit, crucially including the 1,000-meter title at the season's final event in Poland. Kim led the female competitors with seven gold medals throughout the season.
Speaking to the media at Incheon International Airport, Park reflected on the pressures of defending his title and the strategies that ultimately led to his success. He highlighted the competitive nature of his final race in Poland, where he faced stiff competition from teammates Kim Gun-woo and Jang Sung-woo, emphasizing the spirit of sportsmanship that prevailed regardless of the outcome.
With the World Cup season behind them, both skaters are now preparing for the world championships in the Netherlands next month. Park, who won two gold medals at last year's championships, expressed his ambition to replicate that success. Kim, on the other hand, credited her improvement to training with skilled teammates and competing at the senior level, acknowledging areas for growth and her aspiration to win gold at the world championships.
As Park and Kim transition from their World Cup victories to the upcoming world championships, their achievements highlight the strength and depth of South Korean short track speed skating on the international stage.