Lee cements position as leader in S. Korean speed skating

VANCOUVER, Feb. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean short track skater Lee Jung-soo
proved his worth as one of the country's next generation leaders in short track
racing, not only by taking gold at the Olympics but also outperforming his senior
countrymen.
The 21-year old from Danguk University won the men's short-track 1,500-meter
event on Saturday at the Winter Olympics by clocking 2:17.622, bringing his
country its first gold medal in Vancouver. Apolo Anton Ohno of the United States
finished in 2:17.976 to take the silver. J.R. Celski of the U.S. took the bronze
with a time of 2:18.053.
Despite a strong reputation in the skating world, Lee's victory come as a
surprise to some as the spotlight for South Korea's short track team has usually
been reserved for senior skaters Lee Ho-suk and Sung Si-bak.
The three Koreans all made it to the final but the most junior of them ended in
triumph, as the other two crashed into each other in their final stretch toward
the finish.
"I tried to secure the lead position from the start, as my game style isn't about
overtaking (the race) at the last minute. I entered the race expecting I would
grab at least a bronze medal if I put my best efforts into it, but I've won the
title," Lee told reporters after the award ceremony.
Lee's victory comes in light of U.S.-based Associated Press recently naming him a
strong gold medal favorite, saying he could win the 1,000- and 1,500-meter races.
Lee first gained the international spotlight in 2006 when he won overall first
place at the 2006 International Skating Union (ISU) World Junior Championships by
clinching a gold and a silver.
In 2008, Lee made it to the national short track team and later won a gold in the
1,500-meter event at the 2008-2009 ISU Short Track World Cup. He later joined the
country's Winter Olympics squad in 2008 after finishing second overall at a
national competition event.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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