Medals update: Choi Minjeong wins women’s 1500m gold in Beijing 2022 short track 

World record-holder Choi Minjeong of the Republic of Korea successfully defended her women’s 1500m title in the Beijing 2022 short track skating at the Capital Indoor Stadium on Wednesday (16 February).

Choi came into the final bolstered by her record-breaking performance in the semi-final, where she set a new Olympic time of 2:16.831.

But the time would serve as a footnote on a day that she returned to the podium reclaiming the crown she won on home ice in PyeongChang four years ago.

Choi had to beat off a strong challenge from Dutch sensation Suzanne Schulting and Italian legend Arianna Fontana in the final lap sprint of the race.

She managed to get her nose in front to claim the victory in a time of 2:17.789, with Fontana (2:17.862) and Schulting (2:17.865) crossing the line at almost the same time.

Choi now has five Olympic medals behind her name – three gold and two silver – successfully defending her 1500m title while clinching silver in the 1000m and 3000m relay at this edition. The 23-year-old also won gold in the 3000m relay in PyeongChang 2018.

"I’ve always thought that the result doesn’t matter when I prepare for the Games, but I’m so glad to have pulled off such a great result,” Choi told Olympics.com.

“I’ve got some medals so far, but I’ve never thought I’m rewarded for my solo effort, but thanks to all those people supporting me.

“As for the [Olympic] record in the semis, I never thought I’d set a new one, but I’m glad to see my name printed on the record books. That said, I don’t care too much about the records because they’re supposed to be broken someday.”

Fontana made history of her own becoming Italy’s most decorated Winter Olympian taking her total tally to 11. The 31-year-old Fontana bowed out of her fifth Olympics with three medals in Beijing 2022, adding the 1500m bronze to her gold in the 500m and silver in the mixed team relay.

"I am standing here with another silver medal. After Sochi (2014), I got three medals and thought it would be really hard to do better, and I did better. So after PyeongChang (2018), I didn’t know what was going to happen," Fontana said. “I am going home with two silvers and a gold, better than PyeongChang. I couldn’t ask for anything more."

Schulting had an equally fruitful Games with four medals to her name – gold in 1000m and 3000m and silver in 500m and 1000m. 

Women's 1500m short track results:

1- Choi Minjeong (KOR) – 2:17.789

2- Arianna Fontana (ITA) – 2:17.862

3- Suzanne Schulting (NED) – 2:17.865