Winter Olympic gold medalist Lim Hyo-joon (26) won the first ISU competition after debuting as a Chinese national short track team. Influential local media did not hold back their praise, saying that it was different from a failed naturalization in soccer.

China’s ‘People’s King’ said, “The naturalization of the national soccer team was pitiful enough to give goosebumps. Short track is the exact opposite. Lim Hyo-joon is shining dazzlingly.”

‘Renminwang’ is the online version of ‘Renminlibao’, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Lim Hyo-jun gave up his Korean citizenship in June 2020 and became a naturalized Chinese citizen.

On the 6th, he won the men’s 500m gold medal in the 5th competition of the 2022-23 Short Track World Cup. After standing tall as the strongest player at the 2019 World Championships with 5 gold medals including the individual all-around championship, he regained the top spot in the international competition in 1429 days (3 years, 10 months and 27 days).

‘People’s King’ said, “Lim Hyo-jun made use of his special identity and experience to stand at the top of the World Cup podium again. He showed that the short track king is alive and well.”

2002 was the first and last time China qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals. In 2021-2022, the government invested heavily in a professional team to the extent of taking first place in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) league rankings, but it was in vain.

Nicholas Yenaris (29, former Arsenal) and Tyrus Browning (28, former Everton), former England youth national team players who experienced the Premier League (EPL), and Eukesong (2013/2014 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Dream Team member) 33, Brazil) was naturalized as a Chinese, but his A-match performance was negligible.

‘People’s King’ said, “Lim Hyo-jun did not give up despite the sluggishness at the beginning of this season. He compared his lack of will to naturalized soccer players who were pointed out, saying, “The more he participates in the World Cup, the better his condition and performance are steadily improving.”

Chinese media ‘Chiwonwang’ praised his mindset, saying, “Hyojun Lim contributed to the short track national team as a coach even when he was criticized as a failed naturalization because he did not win a prize in the individual competition in the World Cup series.”

‘People’s King’ also said, “Lim Hyo-jun is more than a secret weapon for the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympics. Working together with his teammates, he completely melted into the Chinese short track team. He said positively, saying, “The relationship is like family.”

‘Chiwonwang’ said, “There is no doubt that Lim Hyo-joon is helping in training. He also introduced the evaluation of Chinese ice skating officials, saying, “He is not only teaching the skills, but also the attitude of responsibility and pride that young players lack as a national representative.”

Lim Hyo-jun was also active as a member of the men’s relay championship in the 5th Short Track World Cup, winning two gold medals in the event. He was involved in both gold medals won by China.

‘Chiwonwang’ said, “Lim Hyo-joon is involved in the establishment and implementation of tactics for the Chinese national team this season. He inspires a lot with his spirit, tenacity, energy, fighting spirit and courage,” he explained, explaining that he is like a playing coach and a spiritual support for the team. 슬롯사이트

The 2022-23 Short Track World Cup series will end with the 6th competition in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, on the 11th and 13th. On March 10-12, the World Championships will be held in Seoul, South Korea.

As Lim Hyo-jun prepared a foothold for his revival, the results of the World Championships, which will return to Korea, have received more attention. The 500m, which won this World Cup, is the event that won the bronze medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

In the 500m short track World Cup, it is the 6th prize with a total of 4 gold and 2 silver. It is also an event where Koreans are not in the top 5 of the world rankings this season. This is an advantageous condition for Lim Hyo-jun to aim for a world championship medal.