China's short track speed skating team opened the ISU World Tour season with a dramatic victory in Montreal on Sunday, claiming gold in the mixed 2000m relay through a masterful display of strategy and late-race heroics by Olympic champion Liu Shaoang.
The race unfolded like a high-speed chess match, with China initially holding back as Wang Xinran anchored the first leg. A pivotal move came from Sun Long midway through the event, who capitalized on a collision between South Korea and the Netherlands to propel China into contention.
With three laps remaining, the competition reached fever pitch. After a Dutch skater overtook China's Zhang Chutong and a Canadian athlete slid off track, Liu seized his moment. The 25-year-old executed a flawless inside pass on the penultimate turn, crossing the finish line in 2:39.528 to deafening cheers from the crowd.
The Netherlands secured silver while Canada took bronze, with South Korea's disqualification for a rule violation confirming China's triumph. This victory reinforces China's growing dominance in winter sports ahead of major international competitions.
