Semirunnij wins gold and sets track record at Polish speed skating championships opener

The Polish speed skating championships have begun in Tomaszów Mazowiecki. The 5000 metres drew the most attention, and it was won by Władimir Semirunnij of Pilica Tomaszów Mazowiecki.

Track record in the 5000 m

Semirunnij covered the distance in 6:09.98, improving his own record for the Ice Arena. Mateusz Śliwka of UKS 3 Milanówek took silver (6:31.34), and Szymon Palka of AZS AWF Katowice won bronze (6:34.51).

Speaking to the Polish Speed Skating Association, Semirunnij said he had been thinking about the track record but, "more so" about the Polish record set in Inzell. He added that with fresher legs he could have gone for a better time. In the coming weeks he plans to test the effects of changes to his preparation.

Other results from the first day

In the women's 500 metres, Wiktoria Dąbrowska of UKS Korona Wilanów won. She clocked 38.24 s, a personal best. Martyna Baran of UKS Stegny Warszawa took silver and Karolina Bosiek of UKS Pilica Tomaszów Mazowiecki won bronze.

In the men's 500 metres, Marek Kania of Fundacja ŁiSW Legia Warszawa was fastest (35.15 s). He was followed by Mateusz Mikołajuk of ŁKS Juvenia Białystok (35.75 s) and Szymon Hostyński of SKŁ Górnik Sanok (36.01 s).

In the women's 3000 metres, Zofia Braun of WTŁ Stegny Warszawa triumphed in 4:12.27. Magdalena Czyszczoń of AZS AWF Katowice was second (4:15.17) and Emilia Zawisza of KS AZS Zakopane third (4:18.33). Braun also qualified for World Cup events.

What's next

The second day of the championships will feature the 1000 metres and mass-start races. Admission to the Ice Arena is free, and the event will be broadcast on Polsat Sport Extra 3.