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Park Ji Won (KOR) is not low on confidence. The talented Korean has already cleared a space in his house, ready to put the first ever Men’s Short Track Crystal Globe in pride of place.
“I have got a spot ready in my room where I think it will look good – so I really want to win it,” Park said, after taking gold in the Men’s 1000m at the penultimate World Cup event of the season, at the JOYNEXT Arena in Dresden, Germany. The result keeps him top of the overall leaderboard.
Republic of Korea’s men have dominated this season, and Dresden was no different, with Lee June Seo (KOR) victorious in the other individual event of the day, the 1500m (1).
Park closes in on men’s Crystal Globe
In the 1000m, Park was ruthless, as he has been all season. Roberts Kruzbergs (LAT) led for the whole race, with the Korean perched on his shoulder, ready to strike. Park executed a textbook pass on the final lap. Felix Roussel (CAN) finished third, his first individual podium.
“The races have gone very well this year,” Park said. “I don’t think about what other skaters do, I just concentrate on what I can do, keep everything else out my mind, and try to do my best.
“I think what makes me good is that I am always very positive. I always feel Iike I can win, and do well. My confidence is very, very strong. My belief is always there. In the World Cups, it has worked well.
“I want the Crystal Globe. I’ve seen it and I think it looks very beautiful. I am currently ranked top, and I have a very good chance. I have a good place to put it, it is ready.”
Park Ji Won (KOR) has his eyes on the Crystal Globe after winning the 1000m in Dresden. @ISU
With 768 points, Park has a handy lead over Hong Kyung Hwan (KOR), who has 586, and who had a disappointing Saturday afternoon. Hong will need Park to falter, and to have a fantastic Sunday, and final World Cup in Dordrecht, Netherlands, to deny him the trophy.
Seo completes comeback in 1500m
As a stalwart of the Korea team and one of its most talented racers, many thought Lee June Seo (KOR) would have been in the running for the Crystal Globe, but injury has blighted his bid.
He showed all his trademark poise and power to win the 1500m (1) on his comeback, however, pipping Pietro Sighel (ITA) into second and Lim Yong Jin (KOR) into third.
Silence is golden: Lee June Seo makes it a Korea double with victory in the 1500m. @ISU
“I am very happy, because I hurt my ankle in Kazakhstan and I have had to train so hard to get back to fitness,” Lee said. “It was a good race and I’m happy with the result. It is very nice to be winning again. We have very good team at the moment.”
Sighel has had a consistent season and looks to be coming into his best form. “My race was good, I stayed back at the start and tried to finish fast, and that worked,” he said.
“My season has been good. It has been a nice normal season, because I really started during Covid. I am gaining lots of experience.”
Sighel also anchored the Italy team to win the 2000m mixed relay. But it was Park’s day. “In the 2019 to 2020 season I was the best skater, and so I think it is looking similar to that,” Park said.
“I am ranked number one this year, but I always know that I am a world-class skater.”
The action continues in Dresden on Sunday, with the men’s 500m, 1500m (2) and 5000m relay.
World Cup Classification - Men
Overall World Cup Classification
World Cup Classification - Women
Overall World Cup Classification
World Cup Classification – Mixed Relay
Where to watch
Viewers will be able to watch the Saturday and Sunday afternoon (local time) World Cup sessions via their national broadcaster/channel.
For countries where there are no broadcasters and for the qualification and repechage races, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. You will find the full list on the Where to watch webpage here.
ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series events 2022/23:
Oct 28 - 30, 2022 Montréal /CAN
Nov 04 - 06, 2022 Salt Lake City /USA
Dec 09 - 11, 2022 Almaty /KAZ
Dec 16 - 18, 2022 Almaty /KAZ
Feb 03 - 05, 2023 Dresden /GER
Feb 10 - 12, 2023 Dordrecht /NED
About ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series
The ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022. Launched in 1997/98, the Series usually consists of six events (four during an Olympic season) that take place in North America, Europe and Asia.
The competitions have a single distance character across nine distances (500, 1000 and 1500 meters for Women and Men, Women 3000 meters Team Relay, Men 5000 meters Team Relay and a Mixed Gender Relay over 2000 meters), and to mark its 25th anniversary, the series now also includes an Overall World Classification based on an accumulation of points from all individual distances which will determine a Combined Season Ranking and a Season Champion in the Women and Men categories. These Champions will be awarded with the new ISU World Cup Short Track Crystal Globe Trophy.
Each competition is held over three days (day 1 is dedicated to all Qualifying Rounds, days 2 and 3 consist of the last Qualifying Rounds followed by the World Cup sessions). For the Mixed Gender Relay Teams (2 Women & 2 Men), the Women 3000 meters Relay races and Men 5000 meters Relay races a maximum of four Skaters shall compete and must belong to the same ISU Member. For further information please visit isu.org.
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