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Zhang Xinzhe (CHN), Zhang Bohao (CHN), Yang Jingru (CHN) and Li Jinzi (CHN) celebrate with the national flag of China
after winning gold in the Short Track Speed Skating Mixed Team Relay event at the Gangneung Ice Arena. @OIS/Bob Martin

Ending on a high: China completes dominance in Short Track with Mixed Team Relay gold at Gangwon 2024

Short Track Speed Skating came to a thrilling end at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Wednesday, with China claiming gold in the inaugural Mixed Team Relay at the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024.

Zhang Bohao (CHN) clapped his hands triumphantly just before he glided across the finish line to finish comfortably clear at the front in the Relay final, where each team consisted of two women and two men.

Zhang then began a victory lap with his relay teammates Li Jinzi (CHN), Yang Jingru (CHN) and Zhang Xinzhe (CHN), waving the Chinese national flag above their heads. The United States took silver, with Japan rounding out the podium.   

It was expected that the Republic of Korea would dominate the competition on home ice, but China demonstrated they also continue to produce impressive talent in the sport. The Chinese team won three of the six gold medals on offer in the individual events - plus the Mixed Team Relay. 

Zhang Bohao (CHN) and Zhang Xinzhe (CHN), behind, in action during the relay changeover. @OIS/Bob Martin

Zhang makes it four

Zhang Xinzhe (CHN) was one of the brightest stars on the ice as he dazzled the crowd at the packed Ice Arena, becoming the most successful Short Track skater at Gangwon 2024 with four medals (two gold, two silver) after four days of action.

He added the Mixed Team Relay crown to the 1000m title and the 500m and 1500m silver medals he had already claimed at the competition.

“I tried my best. If I'd have to give a percentage (of how well I did), I would say I did (perform) excellent”, Zhang said after the Mixed Team Relay final, when asked about his performances at Gangwon 2024.

 

“Winning the gold medal with my teammates has been the most rewarding for me, because we showed our spirit as a team.”

 

“I'll start with my training again and hope to continue on this path. The Winter Olympic Games are on my wish list and I hope to compete at the Games one day. It’s up to me to win medals there as well.” 

His compatriot Li Jinzi (CHN), both 16, also created a buzz in the Women’s field. In a thrilling race, Li powered her way to gold in the 1000m final (on Sunday), while adding silver to her credit in the 1500m (on Saturday). She was also part of the golden Chinese outlet in the Relay final.

Joo Jaehee (KOR), meanwhile, won the only gold medal for the hosts in Short Track. He reached the top step of the podium in the Men’s 1500m on the opening day of the competition.

“I can't begin to put my emotions into words right now. I don't know what to say. The crowd was amazing and really pushed me forward”, Joo said on Saturday.

Etching their names in history books

Sprint sensations Sean Boxiong Shuai (USA) and Anna Falkowska (POL) made a historic mark in the 500m events (on Monday). They became the first-ever skaters from the United States and Poland, respectively, to win Short Track gold at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

“I’m excited. It still hasn’t fully processed in my head yet, it’s just super surprising,” Shuai said after finishing first in the Men’s 500m on Monday.

“I didn’t think I’d get a gold medal, so I’m just like ‘wow’, you know. It’s a real experience."

Kyung Eun Jang (USA), Eliza Rhodehamel (USA), Julius Kazanecki (USA) and Sean Boxiong Shuai (USA) celebrate with the national flag of the United States @OIS/Bob Martin

The 17-year-old Shuai hopes to use his gold medal at Gangwon 2024 as a launching pad for his career in the sport, and ultimately his Winter Olympics dreams as well.

“We’ve had a great history before 2014 and after that, it kind of fizzled down a bit, but I think we’re slowly coming back with the help of our national team coaches.”

 

“We’re slowly starting to make a comeback. We’re getting more medals in World Cups and hopefully in the Olympics too.”

After the Mixed Team Relay final, having clinched silver with Team USA, Shuai added:

“I just need to trust my own training more than anything. I always skate really scared, like everybody is way better than me. That's just a mindset I’ve gotten used to. I just took a leap of faith here and it worked.”

Full results of the Short Track competition at Gangwon 2024 can be found here. 

You can watch the live stream of the competitions here.