Beijing, China

 

#ShortTrackSkating #UpAgain

 

Ren Ziwei pushes  Wu Dajing CHN Mixed team relay Beijing 2022 AFP 1238203802

Ren Ziwei pushes Wu Dajing (CHN) during the Mixed Team Relay at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.© AFP

China’s golden Short Track boys Dajing Wu and Ziwei Ren, the legendary Arianna Fontana (ITA),  Dutch Short Track queen Suzanne Schulting  and more stars are eager to start their individual medal hunt as the Short Track competition continues on February 6 with the Women’s 500m and Men’s 1000m at the Beijing Capital Indoor Stadium.

Overview of the top contenders   

Wu and Ren come fresh off their victory in the Mixed Team Relay of February 5 that fuels their motivation for the 1000m. “We are very happy to win the first gold medal for China and it is a motivation for the teammates. This is a very good start and hopes are high for the coming days,” Wu said after winning gold with the Mixed Relay.

Daeheon Hwang KOR Beijing 2022 GettyImages 1368762299

Daeheon Hwang (KOR) competes at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.© Getty Images

However, competition will be tough with a field packed with strong contenders. 2018 Olympic silver medalist Daeheon Hwang (KOR) holds the world record over this distance and set an Olympic record  in the heats on Saturday. The popular brothers Shaoang and Shaolin Sandor Liu  (HUN) feel confident following their success in the Mixed Relay. The experienced Sjinkie Knegt (NED), World Cup ranking leader Pascal Dion (CAN) and Itzhak de Laat (NED) are other contenders.

Arianna Fontana ITA  W500m heats Beijing 2022 1238200541

Arianna Fontana (ITA) competes at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.© Getty Images

In the Women’s 500m, living legend Arianna Fontana (ITA) has a chance to add a tenth Olympic medal after making history already on February 5, becoming the most decorated Short Track Speed Skater with nine Olympic medals. The Italian tops also the ISU World Cup ranking.

“I am very happy with my medal, it is the right way to start the Olympic Games. It is a big booster for the next events,” Fontana said after winning silver with the Mixed Relay. “I have lots of energy now for the next events.”

Suzanne Schulting NED W500m Heat Beijing 2022 GettyImages 1368750905

Suzanne Schulting (NED) reacts after the women's 500m heats at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.© Getty Images

Fontana has to expect resistance from Schulten, who is hoping for a gold medal sweep in all individual distances. She set a new Olympic record in the heats and is the hot favorite. “I’m faster than ever, that gives a lot of confidence,” Schulting said. “Obviously there is pressure. I put it on myself, you guys put that pressure on me, but I don’t feel like I will crack.”

Competition should also come from three-time Olympic medalist Kim Boutin (CAN), two-time Olympic champion Minjeong Choi (KOR), Kristen Santos (USA) and newly minted Mixed Relay Olympic Champion Kexin Fan (CHN).

The competition starts with the quarterfinals on February 7 at the Beijing Capital Indoor Stadium.