Fan wins women's 1,500m short-track speedskating with world record time at National Winter Games

Olympic silver medalist Fan Kexin clocked two minutes 16.024 seconds to win the women's 1,500-meter gold medal at the 13th National Winter Games of China, surpassing the previous world record by more than half a second.

Fan, who claimed the 1,000m silver medal at Sochi Winter Games in 2014, made a strong sprint in the last lap and surpassed teenager skater Li Jinyu to grab the title.

"I really did my upmost," said the 22-year-old Fan. "It's my first title at the National Winter Games. I think I might be too fast over the last three laps."

Fan, whose signature event is 500m, broke the national record for 1,000m in Tuesday's preliminaries.

Li, who led after six laps, finished second in 2:16.202, which also surpassed the world record 2:16.729 created by compatriot Zhou Yang eight years ago.

Zhou, two-time Olympic champion of the event, fell after four laps in the semifinal.

"I was well prepared, but in short-track, accident happens all the time," said Zhou. "I will also take part in the 1,000m and 3,000m relay and I hope I can achieve good results."

Fan said Zhou gave her some encouragement before the final.

"She encouraged me, and I comforted her," said Fan. "She's great. She was a little sobbing after the semi, and I think she really wanted to win." Endit