World Short Track Speed Skating Championships
Overview
The World Short Track Speed Skating Championships are an annual event in the sport of short track speed skating. Organized by the International Skating Union (ISU), the championships have been held since 1976. The competition features individual and relay races for men and women, with the overall winners awarded the title of World Champion.
History
The inaugural World Short Track Speed Skating Championships were held in 1976 in Champaign, Illinois, United States. The event was not officially recognized by the ISU until 1981, when the governing body assumed control of the championships. The competition has been held annually since, with the exception of 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Competition format
The World Short Track Speed Skating Championships consist of a series of races in various distances. For both men and women, the distances are 500 meters, 1000 meters, and 1500 meters. There is also a relay race, with teams of four skaters competing over 3000 meters for women and 5000 meters for men.
Skaters accumulate points based on their finishing positions in each race, with the overall winner being the skater with the most points at the end of the competition. In the event of a tie, the skater with the best result in the 1000 meter race is declared the winner.
Notable competitors and records
Many of the world's top short track speed skaters have competed in the World Championships. Among the most successful are Apolo Ohno of the United States and Victor An of Russia, both of whom have won multiple overall titles.
The current record holders for the most overall titles are Choi Min-jeong of South Korea for the women, and Ahn Hyun-soo also of South Korea for the men. Choi has won the overall title four times, while Ahn has won it six times.