Kim Yoon-ji, known as 'Smiley', became the first South Korean female athlete to stand on the podium in an individual event at the Winter Paralympics by winning a gold medal in biathlon. On March 8th, at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics in Italy, she won the women's individual sitting biathlon 12.5 km event with a time of 38:00.1, finishing first among 12 competitors, followed by Germany's Anya Becker with a silver medal and Kendall Gretsch from the USA with a bronze medal. This victory marks a significant milestone for South Korean women in the Winter Paralympics, as no female athlete had previously won a medal in individual events.

In her debut at the Paralympics, Kim had already set the tone for her competition by placing fourth in the biathlon sprint 7.5 km, despite some shooting mistakes, which led to heightened expectations for her medal prospects. Her triumphant performance in the individual race showcased her resilience and determination after experiencing what she described as a 'preventive shot' in her first race. Kim is a dual-sport athlete who competes in swimming during the summer and Nordic skiing in the winter, and has been a star in South Korean adaptive sports, having received the MVP award multiple times across both seasons in national competitions.

Furthermore, Kim's previous notable successes include winning titles at the International Ski Federation Nordic World Championships and earning multiple gold medals at the FIS Para Cross-Country World Cup. Her recent triumph at the Winter Paralympics serves as an inspiring milestone for many aspiring athletes with disabilities, as it illustrates the growing recognition and achievements of Paralympic athletes on the global stage, particularly for women.