Rising short track star Kim Gilli: “I want to be confident and resilient, but also well-mannered”
In an interview with Olympics.com, the Korean short track rookie touched on starting the 2024-25 season as world No.1, facing Olympic champions, and the significance of the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Short Track Speed Skating
Kim Gilli kicked off the 2023-24 short track speed skating World Cup series — her second senior season — in unstoppable form.
In the absence of Choi Min-jeong and Arianna Fontana, all eyes were on Dutch star Suzanne Schulting, who claimed the inaugural Crystal Globe Trophy, given to the best female skater overall, during the previous season. However, by the end of the season, 20-year-old Kim emerged as the new short track queen.
Kim clinched the overall World Cup title, maintaining her No.1 world ranking in the women’s 1500m for the second consecutive year, and securing one gold medal and one silver medal at the 2024 World Championships.
“It was quite a lucky season. Luck and my performance went hand in hand.” Kim said humbly. “The Crystal Globe Trophy served as a great motivation and encouragement for me.”
The return of Olympic champions: “I still have much to learn from them”
It took Kim only two years to rise to the top of the international senior short track speed skating scene after making her World Cup debut during the 2022-23 season
“Starting a new season as No.1 brings some pressure, but I still have a lot to show,” Kim said.
With less than 500 days until Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026, Olympic veterans are gearing up to return to competitive action. Does Kim feel added pressure competing against tougher rivals?
“Choi Min-jeong and Ariana Fontana are incredible skaters I’ve long admired. I grew up watching them on TV, but training and competing alongside them has deepened my respect for them even more,” Kim told Olympics.com.
“Of course, during races, they are the ones to beat, but I still have much to learn from them.”
Fontana, an 11-time Olympic medalist, is set to return to the World Cup after spending two years away from top level international competition as she embarks on a journey towards her second home Winter Olympics, after competing at the Winter Olympic Games Torino 2006.
“I think Fontana is the best racer. I’ve studied her closely and will do my best to exploit her weaknesses,” said Kim, who won silver by edging out the Italian star in the women’s 1000m at the 2024 World Championships this March.
“Speed and stamina are my strengths, helping me keep my pace all the way to the finish. I've noticed the speed at this level is way above junior competitions, so I've been training with male skaters.”
She is excited to see how her skating will evolve.
“I noticed that Xandra Velzeboer (from the Netherlands), whom I skated with during the junior season, has improved significantly. I believe my performance will also keep improving as I gain more experience at the senior level.”
(L-R) Gilli Kim (KOR) poses with Kristen Santos-Griswold (USA) and Arianna Fontana (ITA) after the victory ceremony in the women's 1000m final at ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2024.
2024-25 season: Focus on strengthening teamwork
The ISU World Cup will begin a new chapter as the ISU Short Track World Tour during the 2024-25 season.
A key difference between last season's World Cup, and this season's World Tour, is that the season's top team will receive the World Tour Crystal Globe Trophy, alongside individual champions.
Kim is targeting the team trophy with Choi: “Team Korea is an all-rounder, excelling in every event—that’s our strength. With Minjeong returning to the team, we’re focusing on relay events, where we didn’t achieve the expected results last season.”
After settling for silver behind the Dutch team at Winter Olympic Games Beijing 2022, the Korean team may already have their sights set on a seventh Olympic gold in the women’s 3000m relay at Milano Cortina 2026.
Milano Cortina 2026: “Dream stage of my life”
Captivated by the beautiful costumes, Kim initially dreamed of becoming a figure skater, but ultimately followed her talent for short track speed skating, lacing up her first pair of skates at age seven.
“I haven’t experienced the Olympics yet, so it is my current biggest dream of my life,” she said. “I hope to win gold in both individual and relay events”.
Her motivation grew even stronger after spending a month in Italy as part of a national training camp.
“Training with Italian skaters and enjoying local food gave me a real boost on the road to Milano Cortina 2026,” explained Kim.
This season will be a busy one for Kim, who is set to compete in her first-ever multi-sporting events: Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 and Winter World University Games 2025.
“Since I have already achieved my goal of winning the Crystal Globe Trophy, I can now shift my focus to other goals step by step," asserted Kim.
“The Asian Winter Games will be the most important competition leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics. I want to gain as much experience as possible ahead of the Olympic season,” she said with a smile.
The 20-year-old rising star dreams of becoming like her role model, Korean volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung: “I want to be confident and resilient, but also well-mannered, just like her.”