Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam continued her dominance of the women's 1,000 meters at the world championships Saturday, beating compatriot Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong and Japan's Olympic gold medalist Miho Takagi to the title in Heerenveen.
The runner-up to Takagaki at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, Leerdam finished the season unbeaten over 1,000 meters with a decisive victory on home ice at the Thialf arena, clocking 1 minute, 13.03 seconds to finish 1.23 seconds ahead of Rijpma-de Jong.
Takagi, this season's overall World Cup 1,000 winner, took bronze in 1:14.37, tying men's sprinter Hiroyasu Shimizu for the most individual world championship medals by a Japanese speedskater with 10.
"I was glad to get the medal, but I skated hesitantly and once again felt there was room for improvement," Takagi said.
American 18-year-old Jordan Stolz won the men's 1,000 to claim the sprint double following his 500 victory on Friday. Tatsuya Shinhama was fastest among Japanese racers, finishing 12th.