Beijing time, February 21st – Chinese short track speed skater Yang Jingru has advanced to the final of the women’s 1500m event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. This marks a significant achievement for the Chinese team in a highly competitive event.
Yang Jingru secured her spot in the final with a time of 2:33.458, finishing first in her semi-final group. The performance showcased her speed and tactical awareness on the ice. CCTV News reported the breakthrough.
The semi-final saw dramatic scenes as several competitors from Yang’s group were involved in a fall, allowing her to capitalize and maintain a stable race. Hong Kong athlete Lin Jingxin also qualified for the A group final, adding to the Asian representation in the medal round.
Another Chinese skater, Zhang Chutong, finished third in her group and will compete in the B final. The competition included a total of 21 athletes divided into three groups of seven. The top two from each group, along with the fastest third-place finisher, advanced to the A final, while the next seven competed in the B final.
Zhang Chutong competed in the first group alongside strong contenders like Desmet, Fontana, and Kim Jilli. Despite a strong finish, with a time of 2:29.578, she was unable to secure a spot in the A final.
The women’s 1500m final, held on February 21st in Milan, ultimately saw South Korean skaters Kim Jilli and Choi Min-jeong claim the gold and silver medals, respectively. Yang Jingru finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a podium finish, according to Olympics.com.
Yang Jingru’s advancement to the final and her fourth-place finish demonstrate the growing strength of the Chinese short track speed skating program. The dramatic semi-final, where opponents fell while she maintained her position, highlighted her composure under pressure, as detailed by Sohu.
