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Kim Gun Woo (KOR) leads the pack in the Men's 1500m in Beijing, China © ISU
The second coming of Short Track star Kim Gun Woo (KOR) continued at pace on the opening day of the ISU World Cup in Beijing with the Korean flying to yet another victory before delivering an ominous message.
Kim, who spent the past four seasons absent from elite-level skating, has now picked up three golds, two silvers and a bronze on his return to the World Cup circuit. It is a record the fashion-conscious, earring-wearing skater was happy to reflect on after grabbing 1500m glory ahead of the heavily backed Li Wenlong (CHN) and the ever-improving William Dandjinou (CAN).
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Kim Gun Woo (KOR) and Li Wenglong (CHN) celebrate with their coaches in Beijing, China © ISU
“It’s amazing to be back, this season is getting better and better,” Kim said, having smoothly overtaken Li on the final-lap bell, much to the consternation of the home crowd.
“That was one of the most intense races so far,” Kim added. “I have trained hard though and it made the difference.”
In the 2018/19 season Kim won four World Cup gold medals and he has almost matched that feat with half the season ahead of him. Perhaps more worryingly for his rivals, he feels like he has only just started.
“I am going to get better and better,” the 25-year-old said. “I am getting more comfortable and confident.”
His form is proving too much right now for heralded teammate Park Ji Won (KOR). Last season’s overall Crystal Globe winner was unable to impose himself on the 1500m final, finishing fifth. Although while Kim admitted that it was “good” to beat Park, he did insist the reigning champion is his “biggest rival”.
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Park Ji Won (KOR) (R) was unable to recreate previous World Cup magic in Beijing, China © ISU
Pierre-Gilles lays down another marker
Plenty in the men’s field may well dispute that assertion, not least because fresh names are putting themselves in headlights on an almost weekly basis. While silver in the 1500m was a first World Cup medal for Li – one of three Chinese skaters to achieve such a feat on a generally heartening day for the home team – Canada’s Jordan Pierre-Gilles is having to get used to the top step of the podium.
Last month he claimed his first World Cup title, triumphing in the 500m in his hometown of Montreal and it is a sensation the 24-year-old was clearly keen to repeat. Even so, his route to a second sprint gold was considerably more dramatic than his first.
“I felt like there was going to be action after the first lap. I saw Lin (Xiaojun, CHN) was building for a pass, so I was trying to stay ready for whatever happened and I am happy I did because I benefitted from that,” Pierre-Gilles said.
Fresh from his first World Cup sprint gold in Montreal, Jordan Pierre-Gilles (CAN) celebrates another in Beijing, China © ISU
He certainly did benefit. In attempting to pass teammate and first-lap leader Liu Shaoang (CHN), Lin only succeeded in knocking the Olympic 500m champion to the ice. A move for which he ultimately received a penalty.
The failure of either heavily fancied Chinese skater to win a medal summed up a somewhat mixed day for the home team. Four silver medals and a bronze – three of which were claimed by first-time World Cup medal winners – represented an impressive haul but the absence of a gold will hurt.
Not that Liu was holding anything against his compatriot.
“It’s Short Track,” the younger of the Liu brothers said. “I told Xiaojun straight away not to worry and just to focus on the next race.”
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Lin Xiaojun (CHN) chases compatriot Liu Shaoang in the 500m in Beijing, China © ISU
The clash at the front not only left the way open for the impressive Canadian winner, it also gave an opportunity to the fast-rising Quentin Fercoq (FRA). Fresh from a 500m bronze in Montreal, a first individual World Cup medal, the Frenchman upgraded to silver, finishing just ahead of another young skater enjoying a fine start to the season, Jens van ’t Wout (NED).
“This is the first time I have ever had a big summer of training, during the last three years I had injuries or I was sick but this year it was really good,” Fercoq said. “I feel more and more confident. I don’t expect my opponents to fear my name yet but at least my name is known now.”
There is no doubt the entire men’s field knows the name Kim Gun Woo and on Sunday the overall standings leader will get a chance to further stamp his authority on the season. Do not miss it.
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Rising star Quentin Fercoq (FRA) takes silver in Beijing, China © ISU
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Viewers will be able to watch the Saturday and Sunday afternoon (local time) World Cup sessions via their national broadcaster/channel.
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ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series events 2023/24:
Oct 20 - 22, 2023 Montréal /CAN
Oct 27 - 29, 2023 Montréal /CAN
Dec 08 - 10, 2023 Beijing /CHN
Dec 15 - 17, 2023 Seoul /KOR
Feb 09 - 11, 2024 Dresden /GER
Feb 16 - 18, 2024 Gdansk /POL
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About ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series
The ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. Launched in 1997/98, the Series usually consists of six events (four during an Olympic season) that take place in North America, Europe and Asia.
The competitions have a single distance character across nine distances (500, 1000 and 1500 meters for Women and Men, Women 3000 meters Team Relay, Men 5000 meters Team Relay and a Mixed Gender Relay over 2000 meters). In 2022, the series introduced an Overall World Classification based on an accumulation of points from all individual distances which ultimately determine a Combined Season Ranking and a Season Champion in the Women and Men categories. These Champions are awarded with the ISU World Cup Short Track Crystal Globe Trophy.
Each competition is held over three days (day 1 is dedicated to all Qualifying Rounds, days 2 and 3 consist of the last Qualifying Rounds followed by the World Cup sessions). For the Mixed Gender Relay Teams (2 Women & 2 Men), the Women 3000 meters Relay races and Men 5000 meters Relay races a maximum of four Skaters shall compete and must belong to the same ISU Member. For further information please visit isu.org.
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