Andrew Heo Leads U.S. Representation at the Bangkok 2026 ISU Development Short Track Camp

The Bangkok 2026 International Short Track Speed Skating Development Camp & Competition, supported by ISU Development, was held from July 27th to August 2nd at the IWIS International Training Center in Bangkok, Thailand. The event featured 68 athletes from 12 countries, with the week offering training, competition, and a variety of activities designed to develop both athletic performance and international connections.

Invited as the first U.S. short track demonstrator and U.S. short track coach to an ISU Development short track camp were Andrew Heo and Hongyang Wang. As a two-time Olympian and 2025 ISU World Tour Gold Medalist, Andrew demonstrated technical skills on the ice, shared his experience competing at the highest level, and provided feedback to athletes throughout the week. Beyond the ice, he spent time answering questions, sharing advice, and encouraging athletes as they continued their development in the sport.

Reflecting on the experience, Andrew emphasized the value of giving developing athletes the opportunity to learn from skaters currently competing at the highest level.

“My goal coming here was to inspire them, help them keep working hard, and encourage them to keep pursuing their dreams,” Andrew said. “Ultimately, they want to reach the highest level they can, and I hope sharing my perspective and experiences can help them along that journey.”

Andrew also emphasized that his own progression as an athlete came in part from developing a deeper understanding of himself as a skater.

“Hard work and grit are important, but understanding who you are as a skater is also really important because everybody is different,” Andrew said. “Different things work for different people. For me, one of the things that helped me make a big jump was figuring out what I was good at, what I needed to work on, and really understanding my strengths and weaknesses.”

Andrew’s presence throughout the week brought athletes the opportunity to learn directly from a seasoned athlete who was able to translate his experience as a top-level short track speed skater into simple lessons that inspired skaters from a wide range of countries and backgrounds. His ability to connect with young athletes while sharing the standards, discipline, and perspective that have shaped his own career illustrated the influence a world-class athlete can have outside of their own excellence. 

“Andrew is a great role model and inspiration for the Thailand national team, helping us develop and emulate good athleticism,” said Aunnipit Million, a member of the Thailand National Team. “Many thanks to the coaches and the USA team for sharing their knowledge and helping us improve.”

Led by Andrew, twelve U.S. young skaters attended the event. One highlight of the camp was Brandon Li’s presentation of his AI Short Track Coach project, which not only reflected his deep commitment to the sport but also inspired fellow skaters from around the world to think about how they, too, can contribute to the future of speed skating. At the competition, officiated by ISU-level officials, U.S. young skaters Max Mountainbear, Jimmy Wu, Justin Wu, Miles Jiang, and Aidan Liu brought home two Gold, three Silver, and three Bronze medals.

Aligned with the development visions of US Speedskating and the ISU, the young American skaters, led by a U.S. National Team athlete and an Olympic Team coach, had the opportunity to learn what it means to serve as ambassadors for the global short track community.