By Jonathan Sanfilippo
Staff Reporter
For South Korean speedskaters, the World Short Track Championships were not only an opportunity to establish themselves among the best athletes in their sport, but also a rare chance to show off their skills in front of fans in their home country.
Many of Korea's participants made the most of the occasion, as they combined to win titles in five events ― four men's and one women's ― at the International Skating Union (ISU)-sanctioned event, which took place Friday through Sunday at the Gangneung Indoor Ice Rink in Gangwon Province.
Among Korea's biggest winners was Lee Ho-suk, who captured two gold medals and one silver in the men's competition. After placing second in the 1,500 meters with a time of 2 minutes, 18.971 seconds on Friday, he won the 1,000 meters (1:26.462) on Sunday and later skated the second leg of South Korea's champion 5,000-meter relay (6:51.148).
Another one of Korea's top performers was Song Kyung-taik, who captured gold medals in the men's 1,500 meters (2:18.916) and as the first leg of the 5,000-meter relay. He also earned bronze medals in the 500 meters (42.632 seconds), held Saturday, and the 1,000 meters (1:26.615).
Lee Seung-hoon earned two gold medals for Korea, winning the men's 3,000 meters (4:53.620) and skating the third leg of the 5,000-meter relay.
Korea's only women's championship came in Sunday's 3,000-meter relay, where the team of Jung Eun-ju, Yang Shin-young, Park Seung-hi and Kim Min-jung won with a time of 4:16.261.
In other highlights from the meet, which featured more than 200 athletes from 32 countries, Wang Meng of China earned three gold medals by winning the women's 1,500 meters (2:22.819) on Friday, 500 meters (43.888 seconds) Saturday and 1,000 meters (1:32.527) Sunday.
Apolo Anton Ohno of the United States won gold in the men's 500 meters (42.568 seconds) then placed second in the 1,000 meters (1:26.528) and third in the 3,000 meters (5:00.838).