Han Mei of China showcased her exceptional speed and skill by securing the bronze medal in the women's 1,000-meter event at the final stop of the International Skating Union (ISU) Speed Skating World Cup held in Heerenveen, the Netherlands, on Saturday.
In a thrilling race, Han competed against the home favorite, Jutta Leerdam, who triumphed with a time of 1:14.27 to claim the gold. Han finished just 0.53 seconds behind, earning her the third spot on the podium. The silver medal was won by Miho Takagi, who completed the race in 1:14.49.
This achievement marked Han Mei's second bronze medal at the World Cup, following her performance in the women's 1,500-meter event the day before. With consistent performances, Han is currently ranked third in total points across both events, highlighting her prowess and dedication in the world of speed skating.
Supporting Han's success, her compatriot Ning Zhongyan finished fourth in the men's 1,000-meter competition, narrowly missing the bronze by 0.09 seconds with a time of 1:08.07. The Dutch skater Jenning de Boo took the gold in the men's event with a time of 1:07.45, while Cooper McLeod of the United States secured the silver by clocking in at 1:07.87.
Han Mei's remarkable performance not only adds to China's medal tally but also inspires young athletes and enthusiasts around the globe who follow the dynamic and competitive spirit of speed skating.
Reference(s):
Han Mei earns women's 1,000m bronze at Speed Skating World Cup
cgtn.com
