Lizzie Barlow
Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games Media Services
LAKE PLACID N.Y.– Earning her second medal of the 2023 FISU World University Games, Korea’s Park Jiwoo set a new track record and earned gold in Tuesday’s Women’s 1500m at the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval.
In the 18th and final heat of competition, Park crossed the finish line in 2:04.41, topping silver medalist Natalia Jabrzyk of Poland’s 2:06.19, who skated 11th.
“I am very pleased to win the race,” Park said. “I had a little bit of a regret missing first place yesterday, so to get first today is incredible.”
Park took home silver in Monday’s 3000m race and was the first woman to break the track record that held for 42 years.
“I was amazed that the track record we had yesterday was set in the 1980 Olympics and how historic this venue is,” Park said. “In Germany and Korea, it’s not a normal thing to skate outside, so that was very interesting. It was fascinating to skate outside with the beautiful scenery and the ice quality was excellent today.”
Breaking the 1500m track record and holding the lead entering the final heat, Jabrzyk was pleased to earn a place on the podium today.
“So very, very grateful for me because I usually finish fourth or fifth,” Jabryzk said. “To lead the race with a track record, and then to finish second, is great for me.”
Czech Republic’s Veronika Antosova finished a split second behind Jabrzyk in the 12th heat, earning the bronze medal with a time of 2:06.63.
Speed skating competition continues Wednesday, January 18 with the Women’s and Men’s Team Pursuit.
The Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games is an 11-day competition and educational festival that features 1,443 collegiate-athletes, ages 17-25, from 595 universities across 43 countries. The competition consists of 12 winter sports and 86 medal events contested throughout northern New York, including Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Wilmington, North Creek, Canton and Potsdam.
Fans can follow the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with @LakePlacid2023, @SaveWinterHQ, #lakeplacid2023, #savewinter.
For more information about the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games or to purchase tickets, visit www.lakeplacid2023.com.
PHOTO COURTESY: Vivian Porter
###