Lee sets track record; Kato wins at world sprints

KEARNS, Utah (AP) — South Korea’s Lee Sang-hwa has set a track record in winning the 500 meters Sunday at the World Sprint Championships at the Utah Olympic Oval.

Lee, who set a world record last weekend at the World Cup in Calgary, finished in 36.99 seconds to edge Dutch skater Thijsje Oenema.

Oenema set a new Dutch national record by skating a 37.06. China’s Beixing Wang took bronze in 37.23.

The record for the Utah Olympic Oval was 37.00, set in 2007 by Germany’s Jenny Wolf.

American Heather Richardson failed to reach the podium, finishing fourth in Sunday’s 500 at 37.24. But she moved up to first overall in the championship with one race remaining.

Japan’s Joji Kato won his second 500 of the competition, finishing in 34.29 to edge Canadians Jamie Gregg (34.50) and Gilmore Junio (34.53).

Michel Mulder of The Netherlands is the men’s overall leader with one event remaining.