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Olympic champ Zhang wins 3 gold in National Winter Games, falls short of setting world record

Xinhua, January 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Olympic speed skating champion Zhang Hong claimed her third gold medal at the Chinese National Winter Games on Monday when she powered to victory in the women's 1,000m final.

Zhang clocked 1 minute 14.69 seconds to take the title, adding to her success earlier in the 500m and 1,500m events.

But the 27-year-old Zhang, who had vowed to set a world record in Xinjiang ahead of the National Winter Games, fell short of her expectations. Her time in the 1000m was well behind the current world mark of 1:12.51.

"I ran out of steam after yesterday's 500m final, so I failed to deliver my best form today," said Zhang, who ended China's 34-year wait for an Olympic gold in speed skating when she stormed to women's 1,000m gold in the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.

"Hopefully I can skate faster next time in Xinjiang."

Hours after the 1,000m final, Zhang will be heading for Norway for the fifth leg of the ISU World Cup series.

"The Norway World Cup race is scheduled to take place on Friday, so I have no time to rest. This World Cup event serves as a qualification for the upcoming world championships. I will try to skate as fast as I can," said Zhang. Endit