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Victor An

Russia

SportShort Track
FederationIDSTRUS12311198501
NOCRussia
Born23 Nov 1985 in Seoul 
GenderMen
LanguagesKorean, Russian
Other namesAhn Hyun-Soo
FamilyWife Woo Na-Ri, daughter Jane [2015]
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 39.961 02 Nov 2019 Salt Lake City, UT  
    1000m 1:23.487 10 Nov 2013 Turin  
    1500m 2:10.639 24 Oct 2003 Marquette, MI  
    3000m 4:39.485 22 Jan 2005 Innsbruck  
Main Achievements
 
Main Achievements
Olympic Games
Event  
Olympic Games
    500m 1   1  
    1000m 2      
    1500m 1   1  
    5000m Relay 2      
World Championships
Event  
World Championships
    500m   1 2  
    1000m 4 3    
    1500m 4   1  
    5000m Relay 4 2    
    Overall 6 1    
World Junior Championships
Event  
World Junior Championships
    2000m Relay 1      
    Overall 1      
World Team Championships
Event  
World Team Championships
    Team 2 2 1  
European Championships
Event  
European Championships
    500m   1 1  
    5000m Relay 3 2    
    Overall 1 1    
General Interest
General Interest
Memorable sporting achievementWinning a gold medal in the 1500m at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin [his first Olympic gold medal] and claiming four medals [three gold, one bronze] at the 2014 Games in Sochi. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)  
Most influential person in careerHis family. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)  
MilestonesHis victory in the 1000m at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi made him the first male short track skater to win four Olympic gold medals. He also finished top of the 2013/14 World Cup rankings for the 500m, becoming the first short track skater representing the Russian Federation to win a World Cup title. (SportsDeskOnline, 16 Feb 2014; sovsport.ru, 17 Nov 2013)  
Hero / IdolSwiss tennis player Roger Federer. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?He took up the sport in 1993 while he was in the first grade of primary school in Seoul, Republic of Korea.  
General Interest
General Interest
Other informationRETIREMENT
He retired from competitive short track in September 2018 but reversed his decision in February 2019, announcing that he hoped to compete at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. However, in April 2020 he revealed that knee problems were affecting his ability to train and that he would no longer be competing in the sport. "It takes a lot of time to recover, treat [my knee] and rehabilitate after competitions, so it is very difficult to train properly. In addition to constant pain in the knee, other injuries have also appeared. It is becoming increasingly difficult to stay fit, so I decided it was time to leave elite sport. I came to the conclusion that it was impossible to pursue a sporting career through motivation alone. I think that now is the right time, so I decided to retire." (russkating.ru, 27 Apr 2020)

FROM REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO RUSSIAN FEDERATION
He represented the Republic of Korea at the Olympic Winter Games in 2002 and 2006, but decided to switch nationality after failing to qualify for the 2010 Games in Vancouver. He received Russian citizenship in 2011. "Russia offered me the best conditions from all possible options. I came as I needed a good atmosphere to train in calmly, and I found it here." (washingtonpost.com, 17 Feb 2014; aif.ru, 24 Dec 2013; sovsport.ru, 14 Nov 2013; sport-express.ru, 09 Sep 2013)

NAME
He chose Victor as his Russian name in honour of Korean-Soviet rock star Viktor Tsoi, and also because it is similar to the word 'victory'. (washingtonpost.com, 17 Feb 2014)
 
InjuriesHe missed the 2015/16 season due to knee problems. (olympics.nbcsports.com, 18 Mar 2016; yonhapnews.co.kr, 18 Mar 2016)

In 2008 he crashed into a wall during training and suffered a knee injury that nearly ended his career. He underwent four operations over the course of 15 months but, despite having recovered in time to compete, he was not selected for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017; washingtonpost.com, 17 Feb 2014; koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com, 30 Dec 2011)
 
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sportHe was inspired by the performance of Korean short track skater Chae Ji-Hoon at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer. He tried the sport as an extra curriculum activity at school, and asked his parents if he could begin practising because he found it interesting.  
General Interest
General Interest
Awards and honoursHe was named the 2014 Athlete of the Year by the Russian edition of 'GQ' magazine. (dni.ru, 17 Sep 2014)

He received the Order for Merits to the Fatherland [fourth grade] in the Russian Federation in recognition of his performance at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. (kremlin.ru, 24 Feb 2014)

He has received the title of Honoured Master of Sport in the Russian Federation. (minsport.gov.ru, 31 May 2019)
 
Sporting philosophy / motto"No pain, no gain." (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)  
Social Media
Social Media
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001820553124  
Championships results
Year Competition Event Rank  
Championships results
    2002/2003 World Championships 1500m1  
    2001/2002 World Junior Championships Overall1  
    2002/2003 World Championships Overall1  
    2006/2007 World Championships 1000m1  
    2005/2006 World Championships 1500m1  
    2005/2006 World Championships 1000m1  
    2005/2006 World Championships Overall1  
    2003/2004 World Championships 1500m1  
    2013/2014 World Championships Overall1  
    2003/2004 World Championships 1000m1  
    2004/2005 World Championships Overall1  
    2003/2004 World Championships Overall1  
    2004/2005 World Championships 1500m1  
    2006/2007 World Championships Overall1  
    2006 Olympic Games 1500m1  
    2006 Olympic Games 1000m1  
    2013/2014 European Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2014/2015 European Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2013/2014 World Championships 1000m1  
    2014 Olympic Games 5000m Relay1  
    2014 Olympic Games 500m1  
    2014 Olympic Games 1000m1  
    2013/2014 European Championships Overall1  
    2001/2002 World Junior Championships 2000m Relay1  
    2001/2002 World Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2002/2003 World Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2003/2004 World Team Championships Team1  
    2006/2007 World Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2005/2006 World Team Championships Team1  
    2003/2004 World Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2012/2013 European Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2006 Olympic Games 5000m Relay1  
    2002/2003 World Championships 1000m2  
    2001/2002 World Championships 1000m2  
    2001/2002 World Championships Overall2  
    2004/2005 World Championships 1000m2  
    2017/2018 European Championships 5000m Relay2  
    2012/2013 World Championships 500m2  
    2017/2018 European Championships 500m2  
    2014/2015 European Championships Overall2  
    2002/2003 World Team Championships Team2  
    2006/2007 World Team Championships Team2  
    2004/2005 World Championships 5000m Relay2  
    2012/2013 World Championships 5000m Relay2  
    2016/2017 European Championships 5000m Relay2  
    2006/2007 World Championships 1500m3  
    2016/2017 European Championships 500m3  
    2004/2005 World Championships 500m3  
    2006/2007 World Championships 500m3  
    2006 Olympic Games 500m3  
    2014 Olympic Games 1500m3  
    2001/2002 World Team Championships Team3  
    2003/2004 World Championships 500m4  
    2005/2006 World Championships 500m4  
    2002 Olympic Games 1000m4  
    2013/2014 World Championships 500m4  
    2013/2014 World Championships 5000m Relay4  
    2016/2017 World Championships 5000m Relay4  
    2013/2014 World Championships 1500m4  
    2012/2013 World Championships 1000m4  
    2016/2017 World Championships 1500m4  
    2012/2013 European Championships Overall4  
    2005/2006 World Championships 5000m Relay4  
    2014/2015 World Championships 5000m Relay5  
    2014/2015 World Championships 1500m5  
    2011/2012 World Championships 5000m Relay5  
    2012/2013 World Championships Overall6  
    2017/2018 European Championships Overall6  
    2002/2003 World Championships 500m7  
    2016/2017 European Championships 1000m7  
    2016/2017 European Championships 1500m7  
    2016/2017 World Championships 500m7  
    2016/2017 World Championships Overall7  
    2017/2018 World Championships 5000m Relay7  
    2014/2015 World Championships 1000m8  
    2016/2017 European Championships Overall8  
    2014/2015 World Championships Overall9  
    2001/2002 World Championships 1500m10  
    2001/2002 World Championships 500m12  
    2014/2015 World Championships 500m13  
    2017/2018 World Championships 500m13  
    2002 Olympic Games 1500m13  
    2017/2018 World Championships Overall15  
    2017/2018 World Championships 1000m16  
    2017/2018 World Championships 1500m17  
    2017/2018 European Championships 1500m17  
    2017/2018 European Championships 1000m17  
    2016/2017 World Championships 1000m19  
    2012/2013 World Championships 1500m42  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2003/2004 World Cup Classification Overall1  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification Overall1  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 500m1  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 1500m1  
    2003/2004 World Cup Classification 1000m1  
    2003/2004 World Cup Classification 1500m1  
    2007/2008 World Cup Classification 1000m1  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 500m1  
    2007/2008 Kobe 1000m1  
    2004/2005 Harbin 1000m1  
    2003/2004 Mlada Boleslav 1500m1  
    2003/2004 Beijing Overall1  
    2004/2005 Beijing Overall1  
    2003/2004 Jeonju 1500m1  
    2002/2003 Chuncheon 1500m1  
    2004/2005 Spisska Nova Ves 3000m1  
    2007/2008 Turin 1500m1  
    2005/2006 Seoul 1500m1  
    2002/2003 Chuncheon Overall1  
    2003/2004 Marquette, MI Overall1  
    2006/2007 Saguenay, QC 1000m1  
    2006/2007 Jeonju 1500m1  
    2007/2008 Heerenveen 1000m1  
    2006/2007 Montreal, QC 1500m1  
    2002/2003 Chuncheon 3000m1  
    2002/2003 Chuncheon 500m1  
    2005/2006 The Hague 500m1  
    2003/2004 Beijing 1500m1  
    2003/2004 Beijing 3000m1  
    2004/2005 Beijing 1500m1  
    2006/2007 Changchun 1000m1  
    2002/2003 Bormio 3000m1  
    2004/2005 Beijing 3000m1  
    2005/2006 Bormio 500m1  
    2003/2004 Mlada Boleslav Overall1  
    2005/2006 The Hague 1500m1  
    2005/2006 The Hague Overall1  
    2005/2006 Hangzhou Overall1  
    2007/2008 Kobe 1500m1  
    2003/2004 Marquette, MI 1000m1  
    2004/2005 Beijing 500m1  
    2002/2003 Chuncheon 1000m1  
    2007/2008 Harbin 1500m1  
    2004/2005 Beijing 1000m1  
    2006/2007 Changchun 1500m1  
    2007/2008 Harbin 1000m1  
    2004/2005 Harbin 3000m1  
    2005/2006 Hangzhou 1000m1  
    2004/2005 Budapest 1500m1  
    2014/2015 Salt Lake City, UT 5000m Relay1  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 2000m Relay1  
    2013/2014 Seoul 500m1  
    2012/2013 Calgary, AB 1000m1  
    2013/2014 Kolomna 500m1  
    2016/2017 Dresden 5000m Relay1  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 5000m Relay1  
    2012/2013 Shanghai 1500m1  
    2014/2015 Salt Lake City, UT 1000m1  
    2012/2013 Nagoya 1000m1  
    2003/2004 Marquette, MI 1500m1  
    2007/2008 Turin 5000m Relay1  
    2005/2006 Seoul 5000m Relay1  
    2004/2005 Beijing 5000m Relay1  
    2004/2005 Harbin 5000m Relay1  
    2003/2004 Marquette, MI 5000m Relay1  
    2006/2007 Changchun 5000m Relay1  
    2006/2007 Saguenay, QC 5000m Relay1  
    2006/2007 Montreal, QC 5000m Relay1  
    2007/2008 Heerenveen 5000m Relay1  
    2005/2006 Hangzhou 5000m Relay1  
    2005/2006 Bormio 5000m Relay1  
    2019/2020 Shanghai 5000m Relay1  
    2012/2013 Sochi 5000m Relay1  
    2002/2003 World Cup Classification Overall2  
    2002/2003 World Cup Classification 1500m2  
    2004/2005 World Cup Classification 1500m2  
    2004/2005 World Cup Classification 1000m2  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 1000m2  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 1500m2  
    2003/2004 World Cup Classification 500m2  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 1000m2  
    2007/2008 World Cup Classification 1500m2  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 1000m2  
    2006/2007 Montreal, QC 1500m2  
    2003/2004 Marquette, MI 500m2  
    2002/2003 St Petersburg 3000m2  
    2002/2003 Beijing 3000m2  
    2003/2004 Calgary, AB 1500m2  
    2004/2005 Harbin Overall2  
    2002/2003 Bormio 1000m2  
    2005/2006 Hangzhou 3000m2  
    2005/2006 Hangzhou 500m2  
    2005/2006 Hangzhou 1500m2  
    2002/2003 Beijing 1500m2  
    2005/2006 Seoul Overall2  
    2003/2004 Mlada Boleslav 1000m2  
    2003/2004 Beijing 1000m2  
    2003/2004 Jeonju 3000m2  
    2003/2004 Mlada Boleslav 3000m2  
    2004/2005 Spisska Nova Ves 1000m2  
    2002/2003 St Petersburg 1500m2  
    2002/2003 Bormio Overall2  
    2007/2008 Turin 1000m2  
    2005/2006 Seoul 3000m2  
    2004/2005 Harbin 1500m2  
    2016/2017 Minsk 5000m Relay2  
    2013/2014 Turin 500m2  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 1000m2  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 500m2  
    2013/2014 Turin 1000m2  
    2013/2014 Kolomna 1500m2  
    2012/2013 Shanghai 1000m2  
    2013/2014 Kolomna 5000m Relay2  
    2013/2014 Turin 5000m Relay2  
    2013/2014 Seoul 1000m2  
    2014/2015 Erzurum 1000m2  
    2005/2006 The Hague 5000m Relay2  
    2004/2005 Spisska Nova Ves 5000m Relay2  
    2012/2013 Calgary, AB 5000m Relay2  
    2019/2020 Shanghai 2000m Relay2  
    2002/2003 World Cup Classification 500m3  
    2004/2005 World Cup Classification Overall3  
    2002/2003 World Cup Classification 1000m3  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 1500m3  
    2007/2008 Heerenveen 1500m3  
    2005/2006 The Hague 1000m3  
    2003/2004 Jeonju Overall3  
    2003/2004 Calgary, AB 3000m3  
    2005/2006 Bormio Overall3  
    2003/2004 Calgary, AB Overall3  
    2005/2006 Bormio 3000m3  
    2005/2006 Seoul 1000m3  
    2003/2004 Calgary, AB 1000m3  
    2004/2005 Spisska Nova Ves Overall3  
    2006/2007 Jeonju 1000m3  
    2002/2003 St Petersburg Overall3  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 500m3  
    2012/2013 Dresden 1000m3  
    2013/2014 Shanghai 1500m3  
    2012/2013 Dresden 1500m3  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 500m3  
    2014/2015 Erzurum 1500m3  
    2013/2014 Seoul 1500m3  
    2006/2007 Jeonju 5000m Relay3  
    2003/2004 Calgary, AB 5000m Relay3  
    2002/2003 St Petersburg 5000m Relay3  
    2003/2004 Jeonju 5000m Relay3  
    2003/2004 Beijing 5000m Relay3  
    2012/2013 Dresden 5000m Relay3  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 500m4  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1000m5  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 5000m Relay5  
    2014/2015 Dresden 5000m Relay5  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 5000m Relay5  
    2014/2015 Dresden 1000m6  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 500m7  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 5000m Relay7  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 5000m Relay8  
    2019/2020 Shanghai 500m8  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 1000m9  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 1000m9  
    2004/2005 World Cup Classification 500m10  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 1500m12  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 500m12  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 500m14  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 1500m14  
    2014/2015 Dresden 1500m16  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 1000m18  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1500m18  
    2019/2020 Shanghai 500m18  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 1000m19  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 1500m20  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 1000m20  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 500m22  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 1000m25  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 500m26  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1000m32  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 1500m35  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1500m54