TURIN, Italy, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — Chinese skaters delivered an exciting efficiency within the males’s 5000m quick observe pace skating relay remaining on the Torino 2025 FISU World University Winter Games on Thursday, securing the Chinese delegation’s solely gold medal on the Games.
The victory additionally ended South Korea’s bid for a clear sweep of all 9 gold medals within the sport.
The Chinese crew, consisting of Liu Guanyi, Song Guixu, Li Kun, and Zhang Tianyi, clocked a formidable time of six minutes and 57.044 seconds to take gold. Japan completed second, and Kazakhstan claimed the bronze medal.
The high-stakes relay remaining offered a dramatic conclusion to the quick observe pace skating competitors. France and South Korea initially led the race, however China gained momentum halfway by way of. With 21 laps remaining, South Korea’s Kim Tae-sung, a key contender, fell, giving China a decisive benefit. The crew held their result in the end.
“This gold medal means everything to us,” mentioned Li, visibly emotional. “It was the last event for our team at the Games, and we carried the weight of expectations. We gave everything we had and fought until the very end. It feels incredible to stand on the top of the podium.”
The Chinese quick observe crew confronted quite a few challenges main as much as the Games, together with delayed arrival of important tools.
“Our skaters and coaches dealt with a lot of pressure and difficulties, including delayed luggage and equipment issues. But everyone pushed through and gave their all,” mentioned Wang Zijian, the crew’s supervisor. “Winning this gold medal is a testament to the resilience and unity of the team.”
South Korea, nonetheless, dominated the quick observe occasions all through the Games, solidifying their standing as a powerhouse within the sport. Led by world champion Kim Gil-li, South Korea captured gold within the first eight occasions.
The 20-year-old Kim excelled in all 5 races she competed in-the girls’s 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m relay, and combined crew relay-making her one of the adorned athletes of the Games.
Earlier on Thursday, China secured two medals on the ice rink. The girls’s 3000m relay crew, that includes Xing Ailin, Zhang Yan, Song Yifei, and Hao Weiying, earned a silver medal. South Korea gained gold, their eighth quick observe title of the match, whereas France completed third.
Hao, who had beforehand secured silver within the 500m race on Wednesday, added a bronze within the girls’s 1000m remaining, the place South Korea’s Kim Gil-li and Seo Whi-min claimed gold and silver, respectively.
The Chinese delegation concluded the Torino 2025 Winter Universiade with one gold, three silvers, and one bronze.