China momentum continues in short track speed skating at Gangwon 2024

Li Jinzi (R) and Yang Jingru in action during the short track speed skating women's 1,000m final at the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics at Gangneung, South Korea on Jan. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China continued to shine in short track speed skating at the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics here on Sunday, registering another two golds and one silver medal.

China has made a good start at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Saturday, as Yang Jingru claimed the delegation's first gold in the women's 1,500m and her teammate Li Jinzi came in second, while Zhang Xinzhe clinched silver in the men's 1,500m.

Yang and Li rode on their momentum in Sunday's women's 1,000m race in dramatic fashion. Li tumbled following a collision with the Netherlands' Angel Daleman at the start of the final, before the referee sent Daleman off and ruled a restart.

The Chinese duo were unstoppable thereafter, with Li winning the race in one minute and 40.803 seconds, followed by Yang in 1:40.996.

Li said she had not been affected by the incident at the beginning. "I was not injured and recovered quickly to adjust well. Tomorrow I have the 500m race to compete in. As my starts are not good, I want to make a breakthrough," she said.

Zhang Bohao and Zhang Xinzhe had initially notched a one-two finish in the men's 1,000m, but Zhang Bohao was later penalized, thus moving Zhang Xinzhe up to the highest podium spot in one minute and 26.257 seconds.

The Alpine skiing tournament began on Sunday with the men's and women's Super G events, in which Italy's Camilla Vanni and Germany's Benno Brandis won their respective gold medals.

Italy also triumphed on the luge track, as Leon Haselrider won the title in men's singles and Alexandra Oberstolz/Katharina Sofie Kofler claimed the women's doubles gold.

France was another big winner, as its athletes won two golds in biathlon and snowboarding.

1,802 athletes aged 14 to 18 from 78 nations and regions are competing in the four cities of Gangneung, PyeongChang, Jeongseon and Hoengseong until February 1.

The Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics features seven sports, 15 disciplines and 81 events.