Lee Seung-hoon (Alpensia) finished in second place in the men's mass start event at the 2025 International Skating Union (ISU) World Speed Skating Championships.

On 16th (Korean time), Lee Seung-hoon recorded 7 minutes 56.52 seconds in the men's mass start at the 2025 ISU World Speed Skating Championships held at the Olympic Hall in Hamar, Norway, earning 40 sprint points and finishing second behind Italy's Andrea Giovanni (1st, 7 minutes 56.47 seconds).

In the early stages of the race, Lee Seung-hoon preserved his energy in the lower group while looking for opportunities, then surged into the lead group with one lap remaining.

He took the lead in the final corner but relinquished first place to Giovanni in the straightaway just before the finish line, crossing in second place by a mere 0.05 seconds.

This is the first time Lee Seung-hoon has medaled at the ISU World Championships in nine years, since 2016.

Lee Seung-hoon is a living legend of Korean speed skating, having won two gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze medal in four Winter Olympics: 2010 Vancouver, 2014 Sochi, 2018 Pyeongchang, and 2022 Beijing.

Lee Seung-hoon previously won a silver medal at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games, setting the record for the most medals (9) by a Korean athlete in the Winter Asian Games.

Additionally, he won the gold medal in mass start at the fifth ISU World Cup of the season, showcasing his undiminished skills at this World Championships and continuing to write the history of Korean speed skating.

Jung Jae-won (Uijeongbu City Hall), who also competed in the men's mass start, finished in 11th place with a time of 7 minutes 57.62 seconds.

In the women's 1,000m event held on the same day, Kim Min-sun (Uijeongbu City Hall) placed 10th with a time of 1 minute 16.11 seconds.

Another competitor, Lee Na-hyun (Korea National Sport University), finished in 15th place with a time of 1 minute 16.82 seconds, while Kang Su-min (Seoul City Hall) wrapped up the race in 23rd place with a time of 1 minute 17.98 seconds.

Korean athletes will compete in the men's 1,500m and women's mass start events on 16th, aiming for additional medals.

[Photo] OSEN DB

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