A video of speed skater Yang Jingru using a brilliant trick at the Gangwon 2024 Olympics to secure a gold medal has generated several reactions.
Earlier this year, Yang Jingru competed in the women’s 1,500-meter short-track speed skating final at the Youth Winter Olympic Games held in Gangwon Province, South Korea.
The 18-year-old was one of the top contenders, expected to win China’s first gold medal of the tournament, racing alongside Nonomi Inoue and Li Jinzi, who played a significant role in the strategy.
At the start of the race, Yang Jingru strategically eased off her speed, positioning herself at the back of the pack as the competitors took the first bend.
This unusual move caught everyone by surprise.
As the footage shows, Jingru soon accelerated, leaving her rivals behind. “She’s off!” exclaimed the commentator. “This is really interesting and it’s bold. It’s brave. Nobody saw it coming!”
Instead of increasing their pace to catch up, the other skaters maintained their formation. When Jingru rejoined them, she matched their speed and continued the race with the group, her earlier move seemingly forgotten.
For the next 10 laps, Jingru stayed quietly at the back, closely shadowing her teammate Li Jinzi. As the final lap approached, it became apparent that the group had overlooked Jingru’s early lead.
Capitalizing on her strategic positioning, Yang Jingru surged ahead in the final lap, clinching a historic victory with a time of 2 minutes and 33.148 seconds. Her clever tactic and flawless execution have earned her widespread admiration and solidified her status as a standout athlete at the Gangwon 2024 Olympics.
