Chinese speed skater Ning Zhongyan claimed bronze in the men's 1500m event at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Heerenveen, Netherlands, on December 6, 2025, while American phenom Jordan Stolz rewrote history with a track-record performance.
The 21-year-old Stolz dominated the competition with a blistering 1:42.55 finish, breaking Dutch skater Kjeld Nuis' five-year-old venue record by 0.45 seconds. Nuis, the double Olympic champion from 2018 and 2022, took silver with 1:43.32, while Ning clocked 1:43.87 for third place.
Ning demonstrated strategic pacing during the final heat, holding second position through 700 meters before Stolz' explosive finish reshuffled the podium. The result marks Stolz's third 1500m gold this World Cup season, reinforcing his status as the sport's rising star.
The competition highlights Asia's growing presence in winter sports, with Chinese athletes consistently challenging European and North American dominance in speed skating events.
