SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korean speed skater Lee Seung-hoon won his first ISU World Cup gold medal in seven years, triumphing in the men’s mass start race on Monday in Poland.
Competing in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, the 36-year-old finished the race in 7 minutes, 48.05 seconds, edging out Bart Hoolwerf of the Netherlands (7:48.50) and Andrea Giovannini of Italy (7:48.56).
This is Lee’s first World Cup gold medal since December 2017, when he last won a race in Salt Lake City during the 2017-18 season.
Lee is a four-time Olympian who has won two Olympic gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze throughout his career.
He won gold in the mass start debut at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and followed with a bronze in Beijing 2022. Earlier this year, he added to his achievements by helping South Korea win silver in the men’s team pursuit at the 2025 Winter Asian Games in Harbin, making him the most decorated South Korean athlete in Winter Asiad history with nine medals.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Sasaki, who competed for the lead against Lee Seung-hoon, was born in February 2006, making him 17 years younger than Lee.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
