China retain mixed relay title at ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- China defended their 2,000m mixed relay title in the second leg of the 2023-24 ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup in Montreal on Saturday, while hosts Canada secured three gold medals in individual events.

China fielded Wang Ye, Gong Li, Sun Long and Lin Xiaojun in the mixed relay final. The Netherlands maintained the lead, with China closely trailing at the beginning of the race. Lin took the lead with two laps remaining, securing the gold for China in two minutes and 37.348 seconds. The Netherlands finished second and Italy took the bronze.

Canada pocketed two gold medals in men's events. Jordan Pierre-Gilles won the 500m with a time of 40.349 seconds, and William Dandjinou claimed his first victory in the 1,500m in 2:21.780. Liu Shaolin and Lin Xiaojun of China finished second and third in the men's 500m, while their teammates Sun Long and Li Wenlong ranked fifth and sixth in the men's 1,500m.

On the women's side, Canada's Rikki Doak clinched the 500m gold in 42.408 seconds. Wang Ye and Fan Kexin of China qualified for the 500m final B, finishing first and second respectively. South Korea's Kim Gil-li secured the 1,500m gold in 2:34.588, while Zang Yize of China finished second in the 1,500m final B in 2:41.902.

Also on Saturday, China's Li Wenlong, Lin Xiaojun, Liu Shaoang and Sun Long advanced into the men's 5,000m relay final, while China finished fourth in the women's 3,000m relay semifinal and failed to secure a berth in final A.