Korean speed skater Minsun Kim competes during the womeen's 1000 meter race during FISU World University Games on Jan. 15 in Lake Placid. She set the track record and won the event. (Photo provided — Nancie Battaglia/FISU Games)

LAKE PLACID –Korea’s Minsun Kim earned her second and third gold medals at the 2023 FISU World University Games on Thursday, winning the women’s 500m sprint in 38.53 and trimming more than two seconds off of Bonnie Blair’s track record set in 1987.

“As you all know, it’s the wind that has the most effect on the result in the race,” Kim said. “I was a bit worried about the wind, but fortunately, during the competition, there wasn’t much wind, so that came with a good result.

“I thought I could possibly have the track record,” she added. “With the outdoor rink, there are so many unexpected changes to the conditions, so I was not sure about breaking the record. But I broke it, and I’m very happy.”

Japan’s Moe Kumagai took second in the women’s 500m at 39.41, with Korea’s Park Chaeeun at 40.01.

The men’s 500m track record fell in the eighth pairing of the day, and was broken four more times before landing in the hands of eventual champion Wataru Morishige at 35.30. Teammate Kazuya Yamada was a close second at 35.84, with Poland’s Marek Kania in third at 35.99. 

Morishige was the clear favorite heading into the competition, having won the bronze medal in this event at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

“The 500m is my favorite distance,” Morishige said. “I have been working hard to prepare for today’s race, so I’m happy to get the gold medal.

“Our team is very young and as captain, I am happy to lead the team and win as well as have my teammate on the podium with me,” he said.

Following the men’s 500m, Kim returned to the track with partner Ahn Hyunjun to win the Mixed Relay in 3:10.84. Rounding out the Mixed Relay Final was Japan’s Yuka Takahashi and Kotaro Kasaharo at 3:12.03, followed by Spain’s Sara Cabrera and Alexander Rezzonico, earning their country’s first speed skating medal of the games, with a bronze-worthy time of 3:12.14.

The World University Games marked the first time the Korean pair had competed together in the fairly new Mixed Relay event.

“This is my first medal at these Games, so I’m feeling really good about it,” Ahn said. “Minsun gave us a good lead as my partner — it was good teamwork. I already competed in four events and I have another one tomorrow, so I feel a little bit tired, but I’m going to get ready for tomorrow.”

Speed skating competition concludes today with the women’s and men’s Mass Start events.