Nagoya, Japan, October 28, 2021: After a high-octane start to the season in Beijing last weekend, the International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup Short Track Speed Skating series moves on to Nagoya, Japan from October 28-31 - the second installment of an Asian double-header.
As in Beijing, the action at the Nippon Gaishi Arena will be all-important as it represents a chance to rack up valuable points in the quest for Olympic Winter Games qualification.
Men’s and Women’s places are on the line in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m and the Relays - 3000m for Women and 5000m for Men - and in the Mixed Team Relay.
Choi Min Jeong, the three-time world champion from Korea, looked like she was going to coast to victory in the 1500m last week – the distance in which she is Olympic gold medalist – but collided with her teammate Kim Jiyoo on the final corner. Another Korean, Lee Yubin, took advantage to win her second-ever individual ISU World Cup gold.
An injury then ruled Choi out of the 1000m; she will seek instant redemption in Nagoya.
In the men’s event, Hwang Daeheon already looks like a brilliant Korea squad’s best male prospect for the season. He won the 1000m in Beijing in a powerful fashion reminiscent of his hero Victor An (RUS).
Aiming to improve on a slow start will be the Chinese racers – although they did combine magnificently to win the Mixed Relay on home ice last weekend.
The four-leg World Cup will move on to Debrecen (HUN) and Dordrecht (NED) in November.