Graeme Fish leads Canadian speed skating medal haul at Four Continents

Graeme Fish showcased his speed skating prowess by leading Canada’s speed skating team to an impressive four-medal day at the Four Continents championship in Hachinohe, Japan. The highlight of the day was Fish’s victory in the men’s 5,000 meters event, where he posted a winning time of six minutes and 18.06 seconds.

Fish, hailing from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, is no stranger to success on the ice. The 27-year-old was the world champion in the 10,000 meters and claimed bronze in the 5,000 meters in 2020. His stellar performance at the Four Continents championship serves as a testament to his dedication and hard work during the off-season.

Joining Fish in the medal haul were his Canadian teammates Laurent Dubreuil, Isabelle Weidemann, and Ivanie Blondin. Dubreuil, from Levis, Quebec, secured a silver medal in the men’s 500 meters event, while Ottawa’s Weidemann and Blondin finished second and third, respectively, in the women’s 3,000 meters race.

Fish expressed his confidence following his gold medal win, stating, “It proves that I’ve been doing the right things in the off-season. I’m starting to feel like I did back in 2020.” He emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and vowed to work hard to reach peak performance levels.

In addition to Fish’s triumph, American speed skater Jordan Stolz continued his dominance by clinching victories in the men’s 1,500 meters and 500 meters events. Dubreuil acknowledged Stolz’s prowess in the sprints and expressed satisfaction with his own performance, stating, “I am happy with my time and execution.”

The competition also saw Japan’s Momoka Horikawa emerge victorious in the women’s 3,000 meters event, with Weidemann and Blondin finishing closely behind. Valerie Maltais of La Baie, Quebec, secured fourth place in the same race.

As the Four Continents championship draws to a close, the Canadian speed skating team looks ahead to upcoming events on the international circuit. Key dates on the calendar include the World Cup in Calgary, Milwaukee, Zakopane, and Heerenveen, as well as the World Single Distance Championships in Hamar, Norway.

With a talented roster comprising athletes like Ted-Jan Bloemen, Connor Howe, and Carolina Hiller, Canada is poised to make a strong showing in the world of speed skating. The team’s stellar performance at the Four Continents championship sets the stage for an exciting and successful season ahead.