Speed skating Olympic champion Zhang Hong won her third gold medal during the Chinese National Winter Games on Monday, Jan. 25, after powering to victory in the women’s 1,000m final. Zhang took the title after clocking 1 minute 14.69 seconds, adding to her success earlier in the 500m and 1,500m events.
However, Zhang, 27, who had promised to set a new world record in Xinjiang ahead of the championships, fell short of her expectations, according to China.org. Her time in the 1,000m was behind the current world record of 1 minute 12.51 seconds.
Zhang, who ended the country's 34-year wait for an Olympic gold in speed skating when she stormed to women's 1,000m gold in the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014, said, "I ran out of steam after yesterday's 500m final, so I failed to deliver my best form today. Hopefully I can skate faster next time in Xinjiang."
According to China Sports Beat, Zhang will later be heading for Norway for the fifth leg of the ISU World Cup series.
The Olympic champion said: "The Norway World Cup race is scheduled to take place on Friday, so I have no time to rest. This World Cup event serves as a qualification for the upcoming world championships. I will try to skate as fast as I can."
Meanwhile, Liu Yiming, who is also under Coach Feng Qingbo, matched Zhang's feat by garnering three gold medals from the Games. The 21-year-old clocked 13 minutes 35.84 seconds in the men's 10,000m speed skating final, beating the national record by over five seconds. He also took the 1,500m and 5,000m titles.
On the other hand, National champion Li Bailin won the men's 1,000m, his special event, in 1:10.03, while Hao Jiachen collected the women's 5,000m title in 7:16.94.
Although Yan Xingyuan had finished fourth in the men's cross-country skiing, he showcased his strength when he took a silver medal in the men's 10km biathlon.
The 13th National Winter Games are scheduled to run through Jan. 30.