Hamelin repeats Olympic performance with 1,500-metre short-track world win

MONTREAL – Charles Hamelin repeated his performance from the Sochi Olympics by winning the men’s 1,500-metre race Friday at the world short-track speed skating championships.

Hamelin, of Ste-Julie, Que., jumped ahead of China’s Tan Tianyu on the final lap and cruised to victory before a large crowd of mostly school children at the Maurice Richard Arena.

Hamelin won in two minutes 15.049 seconds. Han was second ahead of South Korean Park Se Yeong.

Five-time overall world champion Victor An of Russia, formerly known as Ahn Hyun-Soo, was fourth. Wu Dajing of China was fifth ahead of South Koreans Lee Han-Bin and Sin Da Woon.

South Korea swept the podium in the women’s 1,500.

Shim Suk Hee finished first ahead of Kim Alang and Park Seung-Hi.

Valerie Maltais of La Baie, Que., was caught at the finish line by Park and settled for fourth.