The Polish women's relay team won silver at the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Beijing in the 3000m race, falling just 0.067 seconds short of first place.
Poland, represented by Natalia Maliszewska, Kamila Stormowska, Nikola Mazur and Gabriela Topolska, were surpassed only by the Canadians. The Netherlands took bronze.
Initially in third place, the Poles managed to overtake the Dutch team, and for a moment were even in the lead. However, after a dramatic finish, Canada crossed the line first with a time of 4.09.254.
Although the victory was a close one, the Polish team was elated as their silver medal is only the second won by Poland in the history of the competition. In 2018 in Montreal, current team member Maliszewska finished second in the 500 meters individual event.
Initially in third place, the Poles managed to overtake the Dutch team, and for a moment were even in the lead. However, after a dramatic finish, Canada crossed the line first with a time of 4.09.254.
Although the victory was a close one, the Polish team was elated as their silver medal is only the second won by Poland in the history of the competition. In 2018 in Montreal, current team member Maliszewska finished second in the 500 meters individual event.
What a way to close out the day in Beijing! Team Canada dominates and claims the world title in the women’s 3000m relay! 😤#WorldShortTrack pic.twitter.com/mxllC41NWI
— ISU Speed Skating (@ISU_Speed) March 15, 2025
It was a special day in particular for Topolska, who turned 24 on Saturday.
"This medal is the best gift I could have dreamed of. (...) We have really started to believe in our team recently and it was noticeable after the European Championships. We did really well in Beijing. I am very proud and happy," said the birthday girl.
The championships conclude on Sunday and Poland has one more opportunity to boost its medal tally. The mixed relay, formed by Maliszewska, Stormowska, Michał Niewiński and Diane Sellier finished second in their semifinal on Saturday and qualified for the final race.
“I believe that our team will win another medal. We have really great potential in the mixed relay, even to win the event," said one of the silver medalists, Nikola Mazur, quoted by the Polish Speed Skating Association.
"This medal is the best gift I could have dreamed of. (...) We have really started to believe in our team recently and it was noticeable after the European Championships. We did really well in Beijing. I am very proud and happy," said the birthday girl.
The championships conclude on Sunday and Poland has one more opportunity to boost its medal tally. The mixed relay, formed by Maliszewska, Stormowska, Michał Niewiński and Diane Sellier finished second in their semifinal on Saturday and qualified for the final race.
“I believe that our team will win another medal. We have really great potential in the mixed relay, even to win the event," said one of the silver medalists, Nikola Mazur, quoted by the Polish Speed Skating Association.
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