The Canadian short track speed skating team had a successful start at the second World Tour stop in Montreal, clinching four gold medals. Local favorite William Dandjinou secured two individual wins on the opening day of the event.
During the men’s 500 meters race, Dandjinou, aged 24, claimed his second victory of the season with a time of 41.126 seconds at Maurice Richard Arena. His Dutch competitor, Jens Van’T Wout, was disqualified for a false start, reducing the race to four skaters. Dandjinou, standing six-foot-three, seized the lead after the restart and maintained it till the end.
Lui Shaoang of China secured the silver medal with a time of 41.225, followed by his compatriot Sun Long finishing third with a time of 52.606.
William Dandjinou from Sherbrooke, Que., finishes first in the men’s 500-metre final with a time of 41.126 at the ISU Short Track World Tour stop in Montreal.
Later in the day, Dandjinou, the reigning men’s overall champion, added another gold medal in the 1,500m event with a time of 2:13.217.
Although Félix Roussel of Sherbrooke, Que., initially finished second in the 1,500m race, he was penalized for an inside pass that affected two other skaters. This resulted in Steven Dubois of Lachenaie, Que., moving up to the bronze medal position behind Japan’s Miyata Shogo.
Expressing his joy, Dandjinou said, “I’m super proud of our crowd and the ambiance they created today in Montreal. We could not have asked for a better day.”
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