South Korean Medal Hopefuls at PyeongChang
South Korea will be hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. Ticket sales are low and only a portion of the domestically available seats have been sold. One reason for this could be the lack of star power. South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna is no longer competing and the short track team is not as strong as they were in previous years.
Another factor is the distance Pyeongchang is from Seoul. Koreans realize that getting to Pyeongchang during the Winter Olympics will not be easy and many might feel it is better to watch the Olympics at home. Lastly, there is still the threat of North Korea looming over the event. However, South Korea is still expected to put on a solid showing. They even have a shot to enter the top 5 medal count behind Russia, Norway, and the United States. Here are the Top 5 South Korean Olympians who will look to bring home the gold at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
5) Choi Da-bin
Choi Da-bin is a South Korean figure skater who is looking to replace “Queen Yuna”. She is currently the 2017 Asian Winter Games champion. In 2017, she has been dealing with a foot injury but it looks like the 17-year-old is fully recovered heading into PyeongChang. She finished 10th at the International Skating Union World Figure Skating Championships in Helsinki. It will be tough to medal at the PyeongChang games but this could be a great learning experience for her.
4) Kim Bo-reum
Kim Bo-reum is a South Korean Speed Skater and the current South Korean record holder in the 3,000m and 5,000m. She was an average short track skater but was able to transition smoothly into speed skating. Now she is one of the world’s best. She won the silver medal in mass start at last year’s world championships.
3) Choi Min-jeong
Choi Min-jeong is a South Korean short track speed skater. At age 16, she became the 2015 Overall Ladies World Champion. Now the 19-year-old is poised to win a medal at PyeongChang 2018. Choi will compete in both the 500m, 1000m, 1500m and the relay in short track. It is not a matter of if she will medal but how many she will bring home.
2) Yun Sung-bin
Yun Sung-bin is a South Korean skeleton racer. He is 24 years old and in 2014, became the first Korean skeleton slider to finish on top of the podium at an international event. Recently Yun became the first South Korean to win the World Cup title in Germany. He is primed to break out in his home country.
1) Lee Sang-hwa
Lee Sang-hwa is a South Korea speed skater. Sang-hwa is a two-time Olympic champion in the 500m. She holds the record for the women’s 500m (36.36). Also, she competes in the 1000m but has yet to medal. She is the best prospect for a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
