The Korean short-track national team's "youngest" Lim Jong-eon (19, Goyang City Hall) summoned legend Kim Dong-sung (46).
Lim Jong-eon recorded 1:24.611 to win the bronze medal in the men's 1,000 meters final at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics short-track held at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on Jan. 13 (Korea time).
The race was like a drama. Starting in fourth early on, Lim Jong-eon fell back to fifth with four laps remaining amid fierce jostling for position. The leading group's speed surged sharply, making inside entry difficult. Lim Jong-eon tried to pass twice in succession but was blocked both times.
There was no giving up. With one lap to go, Lim Jong-eon boldly chose the outside course. Pushing the outer line, which demands heavy stamina, to the end, he came out of the corner. He unleashed an explosive sprint on the straightaway. Lim Jong-eon lunged forward as if throwing his body just before the finish line.
The one who did not give up was the winner. The last-minute lunge worked. After photo review, Lim Jong-eon's time was 1:24.611, beating Canada's William Danzig by just 0.06 seconds, who recorded 1:24.671. It was a dramatic come-from-behind victory in a race where he had been pushed to the bottom.
The originator of the last-minute lunge that everyone now imitates is Kim Dong-sung. He faced strong competitors such as China's Li Jiajun and the United States' Apolo Anton Ohno in the men's short-track 1,000 meters final at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
As the only member of the men's team to reach an individual final, Kim Dong-sung felt the weight of expectation. He stayed in third to fourth place up until two laps remaining, watching for an opportunity.
He made his move on the final lap. Chasing down China's Li Jiajun, who had been leading, to within striking distance, Kim Dong-sung surged to the outside in the final curve. Just before the finish line, he suddenly thrust out his right foot.
Video review showed Kim Dong-sung's right foot crossed the finish line 0.053 seconds before Li Jiajun's. Li Jiajun, who had raised his hand thinking he had won gold, was soon stunned.
The lunge technique Kim Dong-sung pioneered later became a go-to move that all short-track skaters imitate.
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