Two-time Olympic gold medalist Wu Dajing announced his retirement from competitive short track speed skating on January 6, 2026, concluding a career that brought historic victories for China at both the 2018 and 2022 Winter Games. The 31-year-old athlete chose a quiet departure over formal ceremonies, stating he wanted to 'focus energy on nurturing future talents.'
Wu made history at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics by securing China's only gold medal through his blistering 500m performance. Four years later, he cemented his legacy by anchoring China's mixed 2,000m relay team to victory at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
'After Beijing, I felt complete,' Wu revealed in his retirement statement. 'But the ice kept calling me back.' Despite reduced competition appearances post-2022, he continued training until his final domestic race at the 14th National Winter Games in 2024.
The champion now serves as a coach at Jilin Province's Ice Sports Management Center while lecturing at Jilin University's Physical Education College. Colleagues describe his transition as 'seamless,' noting his technical expertise resonates with young athletes.
