South Korea won both the men’s and women’s team pursuit speed skating titles at the 2017 Winter Universiade today ©Almaty 2017

South Korea won both the men’s and women’s team pursuit speed skating titles here at the 2017 Winter Universiade today.

The female team of Nam Jieun, Jun Yejin, Lim Jungsoo and Park Chowon set the Asian nation on their way to a memorable double, beating Russia’s Anastasiia Zdravkova, Olesya Chernega, Elena Sokhryakova and Anastasiia Zueva in the A final by 4.93 seconds with a time of 3min 13.65sec.

It was complete when Kim Dohyoung, Lee Jinyeong, Moon Hyunwoong and Oh Hyunmin overcame Japan’s Masahito Obayashi, Seitaro Ichinohe, Junya Miwa and Shohya Ogawa in the men’s A final, winning by a margin of 3.34 seconds in 4:00.43.

South Korea were the strongest qualifiers in both the men’s and women’s events at the Medeu High-mountain Ice Rink, with victory never really looking in doubt.

South Korea's men's team celebrate their success ©Almaty 2017
South Korea's men's team celebrate their success ©Almaty 2017

Japan beat Italy in the women’s B final to take the bronze medal.

A time of 3:20.17 proved too good for the Italians, who missed out on a podium place by 1.47 seconds.

The men’s bronze medal went the way of The Netherlands, who beat China in the B final by 2.10 seconds with a time of 4:04.56. 

Speed skating action is due to conclude tomorrow when the men’s and women’s mass start events are scheduled.