From February 25th to the 28th, at the National Winter Sports Festival, Dankook University’s (DKU) Dept. of International Sports Studies students won 9 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 7 bronze medals in short track speed skating, figure skating, and skiing. Kim Gun-hee won gold medals in the 1,000m, 1,500m, 3,000m relay in short track speed skating, and Kim Ye-lim took home a gold medal in figure skating. The Dankook Herald (DKH) interviewed these two students who performed brilliantly at this year’s National Winter Sports Festival.

   Kim Gun-hee joined the national team in 2017 at the age of 17. She won a gold medal in the 3,000m relay at the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo in 2017. She also took gold medals in the 3,000m relay at the World Championships in Sofia in 2019, and the 1,500m at the race at the World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Bormio in 2020. She is a student of the DKU Dept. of International Sports Studies.

▲ Photo of Kim Gun-hee, Short Track Skater (Photo from Asan Sisa News)

Kim Gun-hee (Short Track Skater)

1. Congratulations on your triple crown in the National Sports Festival 2022! Do you have any tips on your mindset or stress relief required to achieve such an outstanding performance?

A1. Actually, I was not the athlete who trained a lot. However, moving to the team this season, I prepared for the games and spent more time on training than I used to before. I was also able to participate in more competitions than before. Busan has a shortage of outstanding athletes in the sport to compete with, so I never had the chance to participate in a relay race like the 3,000m. The double gold was my best achievement to date. Having a chance to win the triple crown for the first time, I was able to concentrate on training more than I used to for other domestic games. I relieved my stress by hanging out with friends in karaoke rooms or by shopping. After the pandemic started, I just chatted with friends, ate delicious food, and just enjoyed hanging out.

2. How did you start short track speed skating? Did you ever experience a slump or hard time that made you consider quitting the sport?

A2. When I visited the ice rink for a kindergarten program, the teacher praised me and told my parents that I had a talent for skating. My parents asked me if I wanted to learn more about skating and I said yes. Since then, I always said, ‘I want to quit,’ but they were just empty words and I continued to try my best. However, I had a rough time dealing with an injury I got right before the Beijing Olympics. This combined with the stress of other things in my life made me really want to quit the sport. I had no will or eagerness to get a good score, but thanks to my colleagues and teachers, I had the chance to participate in the national team selections. Once the races were over, I regretted being lazy in my preparation period. After I overcame all the things that made me want to quit skating, and now I’m training for a better score in the next games.

3. What does short track speed skating mean to you?

A3. It has been so long time since I started training, it’s just ‘my life’ for me.

4. What is your plan for the upcoming season? Is there anything you would like to say to Dankookians (students of Dankook University)?

A4. The most critical plan, for now, is to put on a good performance at the national team selection races, so that I can rejoin the Korean national team. Also, I would like to say I love you all, Dankookians!

 Kim Ye-lim is equally successful placing 9th at the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing in 2022, where she earned the nickname “General of Figure Skating.” She is also a freshman in the Dept. of International Sports Studies at DKU. She exceeded the total score of 180 points at first in Korean junior championships and took an active part in the sport on the international stage.

▲ Photo of Kim Ye-lim, Figure Skater (Photo from OSEN)

Kim Ye-lim (Figure Skater)

1. It was your first time joining the National Winter Sports Festival as a freshman. How do you feel after the games?

A1. It was a little strange for me because it was my first time participating as a university student. I am very proud that I was able to start my university life with such good accomplishments.

2. What efforts did you undertake to earn the National Winter Sports Festival gold medal?

A2. The National Winter Sports Festival was scheduled right after the Olympics, so I paid a lot of attention to taking care of my condition. Even though it was not very good, my hard work during the season helped me overcome a lot and I achieved such a good result.

3. Is there anything you want to say to the Dankookians? Tell us about your plans.

A3. My future goal at this moment is to accomplish big achievements, but I will try my best at every moment and focus every day on continuing to develop my skills. It will bring me to higher places than I expected. As for a message to Dankookians, she said “Cheer up!”

   Kim Gun-hee and Kim Ye-lim are doing their best in their own field. They also like to cheer on Dankookians and encourage them to never give up. We hope these two bright stars continue to achieve good results. There are many more brilliant students in different fields at DKU. Please keep an eye on them, and offer your support and encouragement for their efforts any chance you get.