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Living short-track legend Choi Min-jeong is set to retire from the national team after this season. She claimed a gold medal right from her very first race of her farewell season, showcasing her still-overwhelming skills.

Reporter Bae Jeonghun has the story.

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Choi Min-jeong, who has won seven Olympic medals—the most ever by a South Korean athlete, including three golds across three Olympics—announced after the national team trials last April that she would return her Taegeuk mark following the World Championships in Seoul next March.

[Choi Min-jeong (Last April): I plan to continue my national team career until the World Championships in Seoul (next year), and since I would like to greet fans in a place with many home fans if possible...]<>
Even in her final national team season at age 28, her overwhelming prowess remained unchanged.

She ranked first overall in every heat and semifinal of the 1,000 meters, and delivered a fantastic race in the final as well.

Running in third place among five skaters, she attacked the outside lane with two and a half laps remaining to move up to second, and then immediately cut to the inside to surge into the lead.

Fending off the pursuit of her competitors with a powerful spurt, Choi crossed the finish line first and cheered with both fists clenched.

[Choi Min-jeong / Short Track National Team Member: This World Tour series is my final season now, and I will do my best in every single race so that I leave no regrets.]

Choi subsequently claimed a silver medal in the relay event held right after.

Taking a powerful first step toward a brilliant finale to her national team career, Choi will target additional medals tomorrow (October 26) in her signature 1,500m, the 500m, and the mixed relay.

(Video Edited by: Lee Jae-sung)