Tag Archives: short track

China leaves Pyeongchang on a high

Here is this week’s China Sports column for SupChina, which was first published here.  

Continue reading China leaves Pyeongchang on a high

Experience is key for Team China in Pyeongchang

Here is a summary of this week’s China Sports column for SupChina, which was first published here.  

Continue reading Experience is key for Team China in Pyeongchang

By the numbers: Olympic coverage in China

Paralympic action starts today in Sochi with China’s 10-strong contingent looking to claim the country’s first ever Winter Paralympic medal. Five of the 10 form the curling team, which finished third at the World Championships in both 2012 and 2013, so a medal is a definite possibility. The other five are cross-country skiers: no red hot favorites, but results have been improving and a podium finish is not out of the question.

Wheelchair curler He Jun
Wheelchair curler He Jun

Continue reading By the numbers: Olympic coverage in China

China’s Olympic report card

The Chinese delegation came away from Sochi with 3 gold medals, 4 silvers and 2 bronze, good for 12th in the medals table. China Sports Insider reviews the highs and lows…

Best performance

eca86bd9ddb41474e88406Zhang Hong, gold, 1,000 m speed skating. Starting in the 7th of 18 heats (when the top ranked skaters typically go at the end), Zhang started slowly but then turned on the burners. Her time ripped up the track record and no one even came close – her winning margin was bigger than the previous four finals combined. Best of all, it was China’s first ever long track Olympic title.

Worst performance

Continue reading China’s Olympic report card

Two silvers and a bronze on night of drama

It’s late so I’ll make this quick…

China’s short track team delivered a solid performance on Friday night, winning medals in each of the final three short track races:

China's Wu Dajing (R) congratulates Viktor Ahn
China’s Wu Dajing (R) congratulates Viktor Ahn

Continue reading Two silvers and a bronze on night of drama

Could this be China’s best day of the Olympics?

Day 13 was a quiet one for China in Sochi with figure skaters Li Zijun and Zhang Kexin finishing 14th and 15th respectively in the ladies solo competition, but Day 14 could be big one…

Chinese men's curling team Continue reading Could this be China’s best day of the Olympics?

Canadian coach: Korean cheats got away with it

Tuesday night saw the much hyped re-match between China and Korea in the women’s short track speed skating relay. In summary, they battled back and forth with the lead changing hands several times, before Korea crossed the line first, with China in second – then the Chinese team were deprived of their silver after a penalty for impeding another skater.

But it now emerges that the Koreans might have been doing exactly the same as the Chinese.  Continue reading Canadian coach: Korean cheats got away with it

The Outsliders: China’s curlers prepare to take on Canada

Day 11 review

Aside from the drama of the women’s 3,000 m relay – which ended China’s Olympic short track streak in the women’s events at six – there were a couple of heats: 500 m winner Li Jianrou and Fan Kexin safely made it through to the quarterfinals of the women’s 1,000 m, though Liu Qiuhong was disqualified for impeding another skater; on the men’s side, Liang Wenhao, Han Tianyu and Wu Dajing all won their heats and progressed through to the quarterfinals, which start late on Saturday night.

Li Jianrou in action in the women's 1,000 m heats
Li Jianrou in action in the women’s 1,000 m heats

Continue reading The Outsliders: China’s curlers prepare to take on Canada

Koreans get relay revenge as China is disqualified

[UPDATE: Did the Koreans do exactly the same as the Chinese but get away with it? Canada’s head coach says yes…]

Following the controversial women’s short track 3,000 m relay final four years ago in Vancouver in which the Korean team crossed the line first, but were disqualified after a Chinese protest – giving China the gold – the rematch took place yesterday and it certainly lived up to the hype. Here are the highlights:  Continue reading Koreans get relay revenge as China is disqualified

China vs Korea Part 2: Bad blood revisited

Day 11 preview

Zhou Yang and Li Jianrou will both be racing in the 3,000 relay final.
Zhou Yang and Li Jianrou will both be racing in the 3,000 relay final.

Short track returns and the big one for China is the women’s 3,000 m relay final. China is the defending champion, but the Koreans will start as favorites having had the better form and quicker times in recent months.  Continue reading China vs Korea Part 2: Bad blood revisited