Short track in Beijing: The Queen is not leaving the throne

Suzanne Schulting defended her Olympic title on 1000m today in Beijing. 

By Carl Savard

Photo by Martin Holtom

Dutch superstar Suzanne Schulting, who won the gold medal on 1000m at the Pyeongchang Olympic games four years ago, started the day by announcing her colors with a world record in the first race. The time to beat from now on in the distance will be 1:26.514. Following the semifinals, Schulting would have to face South Korea’s Choi Min Jeong, USA’s Kristen Santos, Belgium’s Hanne Desmet and Italy’s Arianna Fontana in the grand final. Although Schulting started as the favorite, it was difficult to predict the podium in such a well balanced final. After showing a lot of power in the previous rounds, Santos tried to overtake Fontana at the end of the race but the Italian closed the door and ended up with a penalty. Fontana's maneuver would take both skaters out of the race and open the door for Hanne Desmet to win Belgium's first ever Olympic medal in short track. Suzanne Schulting seemed in control during the race, but Choi Min Jeong's sustained efforts still led to a close finish. In the end, Schulting won the gold medal finishing ahead of an emotional Choi Min Jeong, while Desmet took the bronze. 

In the other distances of the day, the men started their route to the top in the 500m and most of the big names will be in the next round. Two Canadians are moving forward as Jordan Pierre-Gilles and 1500m silver medallist Steven Dubois both qualified. In the men's 5000m relay, Canada, Italy, South Korea, the Russian Olympic Committee team and China will compete in the grand final next Wednesday. 

For the complete schedule and results click HERE

Read our previous articles about the Olympics 

 

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