Kwak claims second ISU Short Track World Cup victory to boost lead at top of overall standings

Kwak Yoon-gy claimed his second 1,500m win of the ISU Short Track World Cup season ©Getty Images

South Korea’s Kwak Yoon-gy picked up his second 1,500 metres victory of the International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track World Cup season to cement his place at the top of the overall leaderboard in Toronto today.

The 2012 overall world champion clocked 2min 13.607sec to beat Olympic bronze medallist Sjinkie Knegt of The Netherlands, while Francois Hamelin gave the home crowd something to cheer as he came through to take third.

Kwak has a 4,000-point lead over Knegt at the summit of the standings on 20,000.

The South Korean skaters dominated the 1,500m races on the first day of the event as Yoon’s compatriot Choi Min-jeong claimed the women’s honours in a time of 2:35.278.

That proved enough to edge team-mate Shim Suk-hee, who finished last week’s opening World Cup event of the campaign in style by winning the second women’s 1,500m contest of the weekend, with Marianne St-Gelais securing third.

Shim is the current overall standings leader on 18,000 points, 8,000 in front of nearest challenger Choi.

Britain's Elise Christie took gold in the women's 500m race ©Getty Images

Elsewhere, home favourite Samuel Girard led home a one-two for Canada in the men’s 500m as he led from start to finish before clocking a commanding 40.892sec, crossing the line ahead of compatriot Alexander Fathoullin.

Frenchman Sebastien Lepape sealed his first-ever World Cup podium finish as he took home bronze.

In the women’s 500m race, Britain’s Elise Christie claimed gold with a time of 44.670 to beat European champion Lara van Ruijven of The Netherlands and China’s Olympic silver medallist Fan Kexin.

Christie’s performance handed the Briton a maiden World Cup gold over the 500m distance.

“I'm super happy because I didn't think I'd even be here racing yet, never mind picking up a medal,” Christie, who had to have surgery on an injured ankle in August, said.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me get back.”

Canada, Russia, South Korea and China will compete in the women’s 3,000m relay final tomorrow, while the men’s 5,000m equivalent will feature South Korea, China, Canada and Hungary.