The 28-year-old clocked a time of 1min 13.56sec at the Gangneung Oval, bettering the previous mark, set by the United States' Chris Witty on her way to winning gold at the Salt Lake City 2002 Games, by 0.27 seconds.

Victory increases her gold medal tally to three, after she also tasted victory in the 1,500m and team pursuit events at Sochi 2014 in Olympic record times.

"I'm really happy," Ter Mors, who is also competing in short track speed skating at Pyeongchang 2018, said.

"I worked really hard.

"I had a lot of struggles at the beginning of the season.

"I did some changes towards the Olympics and it paid off, so I'm happy to be here as Olympic champion.

"It means a lot."

Japan's Nao Kodaira also dipped under the previous Olympic record, but her time of 1:13.82 was only good enough for second place.

Compatriot Miho Takagi claimed the bronze medal in 1:13.98, adding to the silver she won in the 1,500m event on Monday (February 12).

"In the 1,500m I was full of energy, but the energy is gone now," she said.

"I recognise there were two better skaters there today."

Defending champion Zhang Hong of China finished 11th today, while Sochi 2014 silver medallist Ireen Wust of The Netherlands came ninth when searching for a sixth Olympic gold medal.

Nine of the 15 speed skating medals won at Pyeongchang 2018 so far have gone to The Netherlands, including all five golds.

It keeps them on the sensational medal pace set at Sochi 2014, where they finished with 23 out of the 36 speed skating medals.

The Dutch are favoured to add a sixth gold medal tomorrow, when Sven Kramer competes in the men’s 10,000m event.