Sprint queen Nao Kodaira is set to take center stage in women's speedskating events at the Pyeongchang Olympics, with the seemingly unstoppable 31-year-old's form making her the favorite to take the 500- and 1,000-meter gold medals.
Japan's Olympic team captain is unbeaten at home and abroad in a 24-race streak over 500 meters stretching back to last season and has won three out of four World Cup races in the 1,000 this term, including a world record-breaking victory in Salt Lake City in December.
Kodaira's best Olympic performance in individual events is a fifth place — in the 1,000 and 1,500 meters at the Vancouver Games in 2010 and the 500 in Sochi.