Contributing to the mixed relay championship as a coach for the Chinese team
Turin-Sochi 3 crowns, Korea-Russia “Heroes”
China: “As much as director Kim Seon-tae, the first priority”
The man who used to be called Viktor Ahn is now called Ahn Xianzhu. The original name is different. This is Ahn Hyun-soo (37), a former Korean short track speed skater.
Victor Ahn, the technical coach of the Chinese short track team, cheered with open arms as the Chinese national team crossed the finish line the fastest in the 2000m mixed relay at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics held at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China on the 5th. I also high-fived with the players. Then, as he looked into the air, his eyes reddened, and he showed a state of being full of emotions.
China’s Sina Sports said, “Victor An, the coach and legendary star of the Chinese short track team, shouted and ran with excitement when China won the first gold medal.” . The lives of golden heroes are more exciting than novels.” Chinese media praises Victor Ahn as the number one contributor to the gold medal along with Chinese national team coach Kim Seon-tae, who led Korea at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. He quickly emerged as a Chinese hero.
He was also called a hero in Korea. After wearing the Taegeuk mark at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, four years later, he won three gold medals and one bronze medal at the Turin Olympics. At that time, all short track skaters admired him for his overwhelming skills. However, he failed to qualify for the national team due to a knee injury ahead of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. After that, he was eliminated from the national team selection, and his team was disbanded, and he lost his place to go.
In 2011, Russia reached out to him. After much deliberation, he chose Russian citizenship and became a ‘Russian hero’ by winning three gold medals at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He wanted to participate in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics held in his old homeland, but his trip to the Olympics was canceled due to his involvement in doping allegations.
Having won three gold medals at the Olympics with the Taegeuk mark, he also presented three gold medals to his new homeland, Russia. And although he didn’t play as a player, he won a gold medal in China as a coach. Viktor Ahn, who has been called a ‘hero’ in three countries, has stood firm despite the controversy over his Russian citizenship and going to China. “I just want to do the short track.” It’s a more exciting life than a novel.
By Kim Dong-wook, staff reporter [email protected]