Kim Yunji of South Korea has made history at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, securing the nation’s first-ever gold medal in a women’s event. The 19-year-old para-athlete triumphed in the biathlon women’s sprint seated competition on March 8th, solidifying her place as a rising star in the sport.
Kim finished the 12.5km race with a time of 38 minutes and 0.1 seconds, surpassing Germany’s Anja Wicker, who took silver with a time of 38 minutes and 12.9 seconds. Kendall Gretsch of the United States claimed the bronze medal, finishing in 38 minutes and 36.1 seconds. This victory marks a significant milestone for South Korea, as it’s the first gold medal won at an away Winter Paralympics.
This achievement similarly represents the first gold medal for the Korean team since Shin Eui-hyun’s win in cross-country skiing at the 2018 Pyeongchang Paralympics – ending an eight-year drought. Kim’s success builds on the legacy of Korean para-athletes and signals a promising future for the nation’s winter sports program.
Prior to her gold medal performance, Kim showcased her potential with a fourth-place finish in the biathlon sprint 7.5km event on March 7th. She continued to demonstrate her skill and determination, culminating in her historic win. The win adds to a growing medal count for South Korea at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, marking the nation’s best performance in the competition’s history.
Adding to the success, the Korean team secured two additional silver medals, bringing their total medal count to three and setting a new record for the most medals won at a single Winter Paralympics. This impressive showing underscores the growing strength and competitiveness of Korean para-athletes on the world stage.
