The Republic of Korea’s Hwang Dae Heon came into 2019/20 red hot.
Hwang Dae Heon (KOR) at the ISU Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)
Having finished second overall at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2019 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and without Champion Lim Hyo Jun, also of Korea, in the field, he was expected to rule the roost – and at the start of the season, he did just that.
Hwang Dae Heon (KOR), Lim Hyo Jun (KOR) and Semen Elistratov (RUS) at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
At the Salt Lake City ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating event, Hwang was ruthless as he won both the 500m (1) and 1000m with some unanswerable displays of speed.
The ice at the Utah Olympic Oval is the fastest around, and Hwang revealed that he had been aiming to break Wu Dajing’s world record of 39.505s – set in November 2018 at the same venue.
Hwang fell agonisingly short of his aim – missing out by a little over two tenths of a second – but claimed to be content to be top of the podium. “Just to win is enough for me,” Hwang said. “I’m more focused for the next race now.”
Injury, alas, would slow his progress. It would not be until the ISU Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships that Hwang would start to look his excellent self again. He dominated at the event’s first edition in Montreal, taking gold in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m and 5000 Men’s Relay, as well as the overall crown.
Hwang Dae Heon (KOR) at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating (GER) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
In the Sprint in particular, Hwang’s raw speed was too much for the rest: he positioned himself up front early and never relinquished the head of the field. “I knew I wouldn’t have the confidence to deliver the late power that I might need,” he said about being somewhat injury-depleted.
“So I wanted to make sure I hit the front right away. I really have to thank the coaches for getting me to this point.”
Hwang Dae Heon (KOR) at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating (CAN) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
In the 1500m, he played a more tactical game, knowing that he would have to sit tight and strike late. So it proved.
Ultimately, it was not quite his year. The season overall probably belonged to another male Korean skater, Park Ji Won, who came very good late in the season. But a fully fit Hwang, back at his best, still takes some beating.
