Speed skater Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong won the world title in the 1,500 meters for the first time on the final day of the World Championship distances in Thialf. With a time of 1:53.54, the Frisian was seven tenths of a second faster than Norway’s Ragne Wiklund, who won the gold medal two years ago. Miho Takagi of Japan came in third place.
It is the fifth world title in total for Rijpma-De Jong. Two years ago, the speed skater became world champion in the 3,000 meters, and her other world titles were won in the team pursuit. On Saturday she took second place in the 1,000 meters, the gold medal went to compatriot Jutta Leerdam.
The only 18-year-old American Jordan Stolz conquered his third world title of the weekend in the 1,500 meters. Previously, the super talent also won the 500 and 1,000 meters. Behind Stolz, Kjeld Nuis was second in the 1,500 meters. Very unfortunate, Nuis said in a reaction to the NOS. “That guy has such a final shot, I was not able to cope with that today.”