Lim Hyojun Is a Young Star of Short Track Speed Skating
The name of Lim Hyojun is, first of all, associated with the first medal of the South Korean team at 2018 Winter Olympics. However, this short track speed skater isn’t only a current Olympic champion, but also a record-breaker. Let’s have a look at the biography of this young athlete.
Lim Hyojun was born on May 29, 1996, in Daegu, South Korea. He started to compete as a swimmer, but after damage to his eardrum, he switched to short track speed skating. At the moment, he is a student of Korea National Sport University in Seoul.
Being 16 year old, the athlete represented South Korea at 2012 Winter Youth Olympics. He made a successful international debut by winning a gold medal in 1000m and a silver one in 500m. Lim also participated in mixed team relay. After his team reached the gold medal final, its members were penalized for dropping the baton during the race.
Universiade and World Cup
Lim Hyojun poster
In 2017, Lim Hyojun took part in Winter Universiade. He was first and second in the heats and quarterfinals, but failed to reach the podium in the final, finishing fourth.
Participating in 2017-18 ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup in Budapest, Hyojun became a gold medalist in 1000m and 1500m as well as silver medalist in 500m. Later in the Seoul leg of the World Cup, the short track speed skater became a winner in the 5000m team relay. In individual events, he was less successful, participating in the 500m final, being disqualified from 1000m and 1500m races.
Later the same season, the athlete injured his back and had to miss the competitions in Dordrecht and Shanghai.
2018 Winter Olympics
Lim Hyojun poster
Lim Hyojun made an Olympic debut at 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. He claimed a gold medal in 1500m race, finishing first in the heats and semifinals. Moreover, the athlete set the Olympic record by finishing in 2:10.485 and beating Lee Jung-su’s record of 2:10.949 at 2010 Winter Olympics.
Lim also took part in 5000m relay. Together with his teammates, Seo Yi-ra, Kim Do-kyoum and Kwak Yoon-gy, he got to the gold medal final, but, as a result, finished 4th.
Though Lim Hyojun doesn’t own dozens of medals of international events, it’s clearly seen that he has a great potential. We are sure that his victory in PyeongChang was just the beginning and the athlete will get much more medals.
