Miho Takagi, the world record holder, could only finish third in the women's 1,500 meters on the final day of the world speedskating championships Sunday.
Host country favorite Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong won the competition in 1 minute, 53.54 seconds in Heerenveen, Netherlands, 0.76 ahead of Norway's Ragne Wiklund and 0.85 ahead of Takagi.
Takagi picked up her 11th career world championships medal, the most by a Japanese speedskater. Hiroyasu Shimizu collected 10 during his career which ended in 2010.
Takagi was unhappy with bronze in her pet distance after recording a sixth-place finish in the 500 and bronze in the 1,000 earlier at the championships.
She set a world record 1:49.83 in the 1,500 in March 2019 and has won the event 16 times in her World Cup career.
"I can't be satisfied with the result," the 28-year-old said. "It was a frustrating season. I want to come back stronger."
In men's events, Jordan Stolz of the United States recorded a time of 1:43.59 to add the 1,500 crown to the 500 and 1,000 he won earlier in the meet. The 18-year-old became the first man to sweep the three titles at a single world championships.
Dutch skaters Kjeld Nuis, Thomas Krol and Wesly Dijs finished second, third and fourth, respectively.