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ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — With a daring race, Elise Christie of Britain claimed an upset victory in the women's 1,500 short track race for her first world championships gold medal on Saturday.
Christie had to move a lapped opponent out of the way on the final corner and pushed her skate first across the line ahead of Marianne St-Gelais of Canada and Shim Suk-hee of the favored South Koreans. It was also a first ever world gold for a British woman.
"I never expected to win the 1500," said Christie, capping an injury-hit season with gold. After seven medals at world championships, the 26-year-old claimed her first top finish. Victory was all the more remarkable since she suffered a concussion earlier in the season.
South Korea got revenge in the men's 1,500, which Sin Da-woon won ahead of Samuel Girard of Canada.
It was almost double gold for Sin, but he was edged by local skater Sjinkie Knegt in a tight 500 final. The women's title went to China's Fan Kexin, while St-Gelais won her second silver of the championships. Christie just missed out on a second medal, finishing fourth behind Kim Ji-yoo of South Korea.
Ahead of Sunday's final day, Knegt leads the men's overall standings ahead of Sin and Girard.
In the women's overall, St-Gelais leads ahead of Christie and Fan.
Sunday's finals are the 1000, 3000 and relays for both men and women.
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