Miho Takagi surprised by scoring 37.12 early in the game. The Japanese speed skater took silver in the 1,500 meters behind Ireen Wüst and she was not considered a medal candidate beforehand. She also had to settle for the silver medal.
The Russian world champion Angelina Golikova and the Japanese defending champion Nao Kodaira then bit the time of Takagi. Golikova took the bronze medal with 37.21. Kodaira disappointed with seventeenth place (38.09).
Leerdam best Dutch sprinter
The Netherlands has never won gold in the women’s 500 meters: the best Dutch achievement was the bronze medal of Margot Boer in 2014.
Leerdam, reigning Dutch champion at this distance, was the first Dutch sprinter to compete against Jin Jingzhu from China. She drove a neat race, clocked 37.34 and finished fifth.
View the summary of the 500 meters for women:
