'Silver is Silver' Kim Yoon-ji Becomes the Most Medaled Athlete in the Paralympics
Kim Yoon-ji achieved a historic milestone by winning four medals in her debut at the Winter Paralympics, making her the first South Korean to win four medals in a single Paralympic event.
Kim Yoon-ji, competing in her first Paralympics at the age of 19, has made headlines by winning a total of four medals, including one gold and three silver, at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics. Her performance marks a significant achievement in South Korean sports, as she becomes the first athlete in the nation to win four medals across both summer and winter Paralympics. Prior to her achievements, the record for the most medals won by a South Korean athlete in the Paralympics was three, set by swimmer Jo Ki-seong at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
During the competition, Yoon-ji showcased her exceptional skills in biathlon, particularly in the women's sprint event, where she secured second place with a time of 11 minutes and 41.6 seconds at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium in Italy. Despite narrowly missing two shots in her second shooting round, Yoon-ji demonstrated impressive speed and accuracy, setting herself apart from her competitors. Her historic gold medal win in the 12.5km individual biathlon event on August 8 marked her as the first South Korean female athlete to win a gold medal at the winter Paralympics, highlighting her breakthrough within the sport.
The biathlon pursuit event, which involves staggered starts and requires athletes to complete penalty laps for missed shots, added an extra layer of intensity to her performance. Yoon-ji's initial shooting score was flawless, but she faced setbacks during her final shooting round, which almost affected her medal standings. Nevertheless, her outstanding athleticism and resilience underscored her remarkable journey and emphasized her status as a trailblazer for future athletes in South Korea, setting a high standard for participation and excellence in the Paralympics.