Joy Beune was shocked to see her name atop the scoreboard after Sunday's 5000m race in Calgary @ISU
Joy Beune (NED) surprised herself and the rest of the field when she won the 5000m world title on the final day of the ISU World Single Distances Championships in Calgary. She kept Irene Schouten (NED) from winning a record four gold medals at a single championships, and then went on to take bronze in the 1500m to conclude a breakthrough tournament. Miho Takagi (JPN) won her second individual World Single Distances title with gold in the 1500m.
A surprise champion
Schouten has been the women’s 5000m benchmark since winning the world title for the first time in 2021. Skating versus 10-time 5000m champion Martina Sábliková (CZE) in the second-last pairing, she again set the bar in Calgary at 6:48.98, which was almost six seconds off Sáblíková’s 2019 track record.
When Beune entered the rink straight after the defending champion no one expected her to win, including the skater herself.
“This was the last (of all distances) I expected to win.”
Yet Beune was not afraid to start fast. Although her race plan aimed for a time of 6:50, she recorded faster splits than Schouten and Sáblíková from the start. Whereas Schouten posted a first full lap time of 31.5 seconds, with 11 consecutive 32-second laps, Beune kept her lap times under 32.0 until the seventh full lap.
“I noticed that I was going fast. But I also felt that I was able to keep it up for quite a while and that gave a real boost.”
With three 32-second laps, Beune maintained a five-second lead over Schouten in the middle section before losing time towards the end. Finishing with laps of 33.4, 34.0 and 34.0, she had a 1.26-second advantage at the finish line.
“Of course I had to pay for (the fast pace in the beginning), then everything starts tearing and shivering. In those last laps I thought I was not able to hold on to it anymore, and then it’s counting down towards the end, but I never really broke down.”
Finishing in 6:47.72, Beune barely had energy left to celebrate.
“I was shattered. I couldn’t stand on my legs anymore. I tried to cheer, but there was not much left.”
Beune’s first individual title at a World Single Distances Championships came just two days after the first World title of her career, with Schouten and Marijke Groenewoud in the Team Pursuit.
After winning four Junior World titles in 2018, Beune’s senior career had not yet been as prolific. Is this a breakout season?
“Yes, to see that I can win this one, you could say that it’s a breakthrough.”
Beune took a few minutes to talk to the press after her excruciating performance in the 5000m, but she quickly had to refocus and prepare for the 1500m, which started a little over two hours later.
“It’s quite a tough day. I’m going to cool down on the bike, I have a doping control, and then on with the 1500m.”
Schouten, the Olympic champion, watched Beune’s race in anguish, but accepted the loss with a smile.
“That was incredibly strong. A pity that the race was not just one lap longer… no that’s a joke, she just had a super good race and mine was not top.”
Irene Schouten took silver and Martina Sábliková bronze behind Joy Beune in the 5000m race at the ISU World Single Distances Championships @ISU
Schouten hadn’t expected Beune to beat her in the 5000m.
“I had expected Ragne Wiklund (NOR) to be a contender, but Joy actually not so much. But next time out I will count her in.”
In her own race, Schouten had a battle on her hands with Sáblíková, who started fast. Schouten explained:
“I never got into the race well. I was struggling with Sáblíková. At some point Jillert (coach JIllert Anema, NED) said just go now, but sometimes you hit (the strokes) well and I just didn’t have that today. I was not celebrating too much when I crossed the finish line because it just didn’t feel too good.”
Schouten did end up with the 5000m silver, adding to gold in the Team Pursuit, 3000m and Mass Start.
“You can’t say that’s bad; if so, everyone out here has had a bad championships.”
Sáblíková eventually took bronze, edging out Wiklund by .58 seconds. She claimed 3000m bronze on Thursday.
“I’m happy with my championships.”
Martina Sábliková finished 4.16 seconds behind gold medalist Joy Beune in the 5000m distance in Calgary on Sunday @ISU
Sáblíková was happy to take on Schouten, whom she considered the favorite for gold in the 5000m.
“When you go to the start with Irene, you have to go (fast) from the first moment. I‘ve been hoping for this pairing a long time, because we skated together I think for the last time 2016 in Kolomna (when Sáblíková won and Schouten took bronze in the 5000m). That’s a long time ago and she’s one of the best, so I just wanted to enjoy and try, and maybe (challenge) her a little in the beginning.
“With five laps to go, I thought, OK, that’s it for me. I knew what it would be like before the start, because she is really strong. Yesterday she fell in the Mass Start and still won, so I didn't think that I could beat her. I just went and then tried skating my own tempo.”
Second on the scoreboard when she crossed the finish line, Sáblíková then watched Beune in admiration.
“Wow, that was amazing. She skated like (the pace of) my 3000m and then she lost a bit of time, but still it was an incredible race.”
Takagi proud of ‘lucky title’
Having gone through the World Cup season undefeated, Takagi was the outright favorite in the 1500m.
When the Japanese star took the ice against Han Mei (CHN), defending champion Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong (NED) was on top of the leaderboard with a time of 1:53.27. She didn’t say there for long.
Takagi answered with a 1:52.29, while her Chinese teammate was right behind in 1:52.72.
Miho Takagi won 1500m gold on Sunday, one day after winning gold in the 1000m event in Calgary @ISU
Despite her 5000m win earlier in the afternoon, Beune also managed to beat Rijpma-de Jong, pushing her compatriot off the podium to take bronze in 1:52.91.
Takagi felt she was lucky to win the 1500m title. While Beune had to overcome a huge effort in the 5000m, Takagi only skated one distance on Sunday.
“I was happy to win the gold medal, of course. It’s the first time for me to win the 1500m at the World Championships. But I wanted to skate under 1:52. I feel like I got away lucky to win the World title, because it’s not like at the Olympic Games, when you have one distance each day. Joy Beune skated two distances today. But then again, a gold medal is a gold medal. Johan (coach Johan de Wit (NED) told me I should be proud of it.”
Han was happy to again finish second behind her teammate Takagi.
“I want to become the Chinese Miho. It’s been such a crazy weekend for me. I can't believe I could get a medal in the World Single Distances Championships.
“I just I want to thank a lot of people who are really important for me. My international team and Johan and Miho. I can see how she improves every day, and I want to learn from her. I hope in the future many athletes can join the international team. That’s really helpful. And I also want to thank the national team and the team leader who gave me a lot of support.”
Silver medalist Han Mei was happy to be paired against Miho Takagi in the 1500m race in Calgary on Sunday @ISU
Beune came off the ice with another big smile.
“It’s a different color, but I’m equally happy with it. Of course I had that 5000m in the legs, but I rested in between. I had a doping control and digested the whole thing. After that rest, I did feel snappy again.”
Joy Beune acknowledges the crowd after beating teammate Marijke Groenewoud in the final 1500m pairing to secure bronze on Sunday @ISU
Program
Thursday 15 February:
3000m Women
5000m Men
Team Sprint Women
Team Sprint Men
Friday 16 February:
Team Pursuit Women
Team Pursuit Men
500m Women
500m Men
Saturday 17 February
1000m Women
1000m Men
Mass Start Women Final
Mass Start Men Final
Sunday 18 February
5000m Women
10000m Men
1500m Women
1500m Men
