Gilly Kim and Jongon Lim Both Win Double Titles at ISU World Championships, Cementing Their Status as New Team Aces

The next-generation stars of Korean short track, Gilly Kim and Jongon Lim, both claimed double titles by sweeping the 1000m and 1500m events at the International Skating Union (ISU) 2026 World Championships.

Known as "Lamborghilly," Gilly Kim was the first to cross the finish line in the women's 1500m at the ISU World Championships held at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, Canada, on the 16th (Korean time), clocking a time of 2:31.003. After her Olympic triumph, Kim reaffirmed her status as the world’s strongest in the 1500m by winning gold at the World Championships as well.

Kim Gilli (center) is taking a commemorative photo with Jandra Belzebur (Netherlands, left) and Corinne Stoddard (Canada) at the award ceremony for the women's 1500m event at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Championships held on the 16th (Korean time) at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, Canada. Photo by AP Yonhap News

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Following her 1000m gold the previous day, Kim took another gold in the 1500m, pushing aside Jandra Belzebur of the Netherlands-who won three gold medals at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and finished with a time of 2:31.298. While her 1000m victory was a dramatic comeback with a 0.009 second margin in a photo finish, Kim dominated the 1500m, comfortably outpacing Belzebur this time.

In the final with seven competitors, Kim stayed in 6th or 7th position until the middle of the race, waiting for her chance. With four laps to go, she surged ahead with a powerful sprint to take the lead, then widened the gap with the chasing group, finishing well ahead of her rivals.

Jongon Lim also secured a gold medal in the 1000m, following his 1500m victory the previous day. Lim clocked 1:25.805, beating Jens vant Vout of the Netherlands, who had won gold in this event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and finished with a time of 1:26.315.

While Lim clinched gold in the 1500m the previous day with a dramatic last-lap comeback, in this race he took the lead with three laps remaining and steadily pulled away from the chasing pack, seemingly set for a comfortable win like Kim. However, William Dandjinou of Canada mounted a fierce challenge with half a lap to go, crossing the finish line almost simultaneously with Lim. The photo review showed Dandjinou finishing ahead of Lim, and Lim even congratulated Dandjinou. However, the judges disqualified Dandjinou for obstructing Lim with his arm at the finish line. As a result, Lim was ultimately awarded the gold medal.

Jongun Lim (center) is taking a commemorative photo with Jens Vanttabout (Netherlands, left) and Neil Tracey (UK) at the men's 1000m award ceremony of the International Skating Union (ISU) World Championships held on the 16th (Korean time) at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, Canada. Photo by AP Yonhap News

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As the youngest members of the men’s and women’s national short track teams, Gilly Kim and Jongon Lim have solidified their roles as new ace athletes, following their outstanding performances at both the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and the World Championships. At the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Kim won gold medals in the 1500m and 3000m relay, and a bronze in the 1000m. As the only double gold medalist for Team Korea at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, Kim was named the team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Lim earned a silver in the 5000m relay and a bronze in the 1000m at the Milan-Cortina Games.

Thanks to the achievements of Kim and Lim, Korea won four gold medals at this year’s World Championships, making up for a disappointing three-year run. Korea had won five gold medals in the 2022 championships, but managed only two in 2023, and just one gold each in the 2024 and 2025 events.

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