Japan’s Miho Takagi clinched her first gold of the Beijing Olympics on Thursday, following up on the three other medals she has already won in the Winter Games so far, as she sailed to victory in the women’s 1 000 metres speed skating.
Takagi kept close to the pace set by silver medallist Jutta Leerdam at the onset of the race. Despite falling behind at one point, she breezed through the final lap half a second ahead of Leerdam’s time and crossed the finish line in an Olympic record of 1 minute 13.19 seconds.
The 27-year-old punched the air in delight upon seeing her record after crossing the finish line.
Dutchwoman Leerdam claimed silver in 1:13.83, while Brittany Bowe of the United States took bronze in 1:14.61.
Takagi, who clocked the fastest time this season of 1:11.83, has won two individual medals in Beijing, finishing second in the 1 500m behind Wust and winning a surprise silver in the 500m.
The gold medal appeared to be just within reach as she raced ahead of her Canadian rivals towards the finish line in the women’s team pursuit until a fall by her sister and teammate Nana Takagi cost them the title and landed them with a silver instead.
That silver medal, which was accepted solemnly amid tears, was the sixth of Takagi’s career and made her the most decorated Japanese female Olympian.
