How Yang Jingru won China's first gold at Winter Youth Olympics in spectacular fashion

In the realm of short-track speed skating, executing a move to lap the entire field is a bold and highly precarious endeavor. This particular tactic demands athletes to possess an impressive reservoir of physical stamina. However, in practical terms, it is not a widely utilized strategy due to the significant decline in speed experienced by most skaters during the latter half of the race. 

Nevertheless, in a remarkable twist of events during the women's 1500m race at the Winter Youth Olympics on Saturday, Chinese skater Yang Jingru defied expectations by employing this very tactic, resulting in a flawless execution and ultimately helping China clinch their first gold medal at the tournament in Gangwon, South Korea.

In this thrilling encounter, Yang deliberately eased off her speed right from the outset, positioning herself at the back of the pack as they entered the first bend. Then, with a sudden surge of power, she swiftly glided past all her competitors, thus lapping the field. Over the next 10 laps, Yang surreptitiously maintained her position at the back, closely shadowing her teammate Li Jinzi. 

This tactic cleverly deceived the front-runners, causing them to forget that they had already been lapped. As the race reached its conclusion, Yang, who had quietly bided her time at the rear, emerged triumphant with a time of 2 minutes and 33.148 seconds, while Li secured a well-deserved silver medal.

"It was a daring move, one I had never attempted before," observed Yang following her sensational triumph. "But it was my own strategy, a secret weapon nobody saw coming. It left everyone bewildered and unsure of how to respond. And it worked like a charm... I achieved what I had set out to do. My goal was to claim the gold medal, and I'm pleased that I was able to turn that vision into a reality."

Later in the day, another moment of glory unfolded for China as Zhang Xinzhe secured a silver medal in the men's 1500m race. The spirited 16-year-old engaged in a intense battle with Joo Jae-hee, exchanging positions several times during the showdown. However, despite his valiant efforts, Zhang narrowly missed out on the top spot as the South Korean emerged victorious on his home turf. 

Reflecting on his performance, Zhang expressed a mix of happiness and excitement, yet couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret. "I am overjoyed, but at the same time, I feel a bit disappointed. I had a chance to claim the gold, but my lack of experience ultimately hindered me," he shared candidly.

The Winter Youth Olympic Games, exclusively designed for young athletes aged 15 to 18, made its debut in 2012 in Innsbruck and Seefeld, Austria. This was followed by subsequent editions in Lillehammer, Norway in 2016, and Lausanne, Switzerland in 2020.  

Now, the stage is set for the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics, featuring 81 diverse events ranging from cross-country skiing to speed skating. This sporting spectacle will captivate audiences until its conclusion on February 1.