Kato captures 14th World Cup title


Joji Kato took the top podium spot in the men’s 500 meters along with Canadian Gilmore Junio in the second World Cup speed skating event of the season on Friday.

Kato clocked a time of 34.258 seconds, the same as Junio, for his first victory of the season and 14th career title.

In the women’s 500, Nao Kodaira rewrote her own Japanese record with a time of 37.29, but it was only good enough for seventh.

South Korea’s Lee Sang-hwa clinched her third consecutive title, bettering her own world record by 0.17 in a blistering 36.57.

Miyako Sumiyoshi and Erina Kamiya were 11th and 14th, respectively.