Short track legend Viktor An to coach on TV CHOSUN reality show

Six-time Olympic gold medalist Viktor An will join the coaching staff for TV CHOSUN's 'Speed Queen,' a sports reality program premiering November 25. The show features elite skaters competing for spots in national team selection trials.

Viktor An, the "short track emperor" who wrote history in the world of short track speed skating, is set to draw significant attention by joining the "hidden coach" role in TV CHOSUN's first Korean short track sports reality program, 'Speed Queen.'

Scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, November 25 at 10 PM, 'Speed Queen' is a real sports variety show featuring elite short track skaters—including Olympic medalists and former national team members—who are competing intensely to participate in actual national team selection trials in pursuit of wearing the national flag once again.

The program's "dream coaching staff" has been finalized with the official addition of Viktor An, following the previous announcements of director Chun Lee-Kyung, coach Kim A-lang (a three-time consecutive Olympic medalist), and "passionate manager" Lee Yu-ri. Viktor An's return as a coach after a long absence is garnering intense spotlight, as he has been difficult to see on domestic Korean broadcasts. His participation is particularly significant as it resulted from a direct proposal by director Chun Lee-Kyung. To turn the near-impossible goal of rejoining the national team into reality, Chun Lee-Kyung personally requested Viktor An's help, driven by a desire to open even a single possibility for the athletes. In response to Chun Lee-Kyung's urgency, the two legends who wrote the history of Korean short track have united as "one team." In a recently released teaser for 'Speed Queen,' Viktor An expressed his determination, stating, "I want them to do it like their lives depend on it, so they can grow even more than what they desire."

Viktor An is a living legend who dominated the world short track stage during his career. He is recognized as an "all-time legend," having won three gold medals at the 2006 Winter Olympics and three gold medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics, totaling six Olympic gold medals alongside numerous other international medals. Having raced more fiercely than anyone on the ice as an athlete, Viktor An will lead the athletes of 'Speed Queen' in their final challenge to join the national team. Driven by a deep affection for the ice and the sport, he remains immersed in short track as if living for the race, even though he is no longer an active athlete. Accordingly, he is expected to directly work with the athletes to pass on the sophisticated technical skills and racing strategies that once brought him to the top of the world. Anticipation is building to see what kind of leadership Viktor An will demonstrate through the eyes of a legend to elevate the skills and potential of the athletes.

The sports reality program 'Speed Queen,' which follows the final national team challenge of short track skaters still wishing to prove their abilities, premieres on TV CHOSUN on Wednesday, November 25 at 10 PM.

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