Gangneung, Korea, January 20, 2024: China’s Yang Jingru won the first gold medal of the short track speed skating competition at the Winter Youth Olympic Games on Saturday with an astonishing tactic that surprised spectators and rivals alike.
In the early stages of the women’s 1500 metres final at Gangneung Ice Arena, the 17-year-old Chinese skater suddenly raced away from the pack and sprinted all the way round the track before catching up with the rest of the field.
From this point on there was no way back for her rivals, as Yang hung in there, knowing she still had the energy to track any skater who had the audacity to attempt to make up ground. No one did – and Yang was able to keep in touch and cruise to victory.
Yang won gold with a time of 2 minutes, 33.148 seconds, ahead of her teammate Li Jinzi, 16, who won silver in 2:41.543. Japan’s Nonomi Inoue, 15, was third in 2:42.293 to complete an Asian 1-2-3 for gold-silver-bronze.
The new Winter YOG champion said: “This was my strategy. It was the first time I have tried this and I think the other skaters were a bit confused and didn’t know what to do. This is why I was able to finish the race and win the gold medal.”
Kazakhstan’s Polina Omelchuk, 16, was sixth of seven in the final and gave her take on the tactics of Yang.
“When someone makes a break like that so early in a race, it’s normal for the other skaters to catch them up over a few laps,” she said.
“But this time, there was no leader to follow her. I couldn’t decide my next step – and by the time I realized what had happened it was too late.”
Still, Polina said she had exceeded expectations by reaching the final in her first international event for Kazakhstan.
“It’s been very enjoyable – and overwhelming for me to make the A final. For me, to represent the flag of Kazakhstan means everything because my life is sport.”
*In the men’s 1500m final that followed, the Korean spectators and team got what they wanted with a gold medal on the first day of short track.
Joo Jaehee, 17, was the young man of the moment, racing to gold in 2:21.906. China’s Zhang Xinzhe, 16, was second in 2:22.095 ahead of Korea’s Kim Yousung, 16, who won bronze in 2:22.148.
Joo said the popularity of short track speed skating in Korea gave him a lot of responsibility.
“The Korean people have high expectations for short track and that is why we were determined to give everything to achieve our goal,” Joo said.
“The hopes of the people gave us strong motivation to do our best.”