Speedskating: Russian Kulizhnikov sets 500-meter world record

First-place finisher Pavel Kulizhnikov, center, of Russia, celebrates with second-place Mitchell Whitmore, left, from the United States, and third-place William Dutton, of Canada, on the podium following the men’s 500 meters at the World Cup speedskating event Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, in Kearns, Utah. AP Photo

WASHINGTON, United States—Russia’s Pavel Kulizhnikov became the first speedskater to break 34 seconds for 500 meters, setting a world record at the distance Friday to win the event at a World Cup event.

At the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic oval, Kulizhnikov skated to a world record of 33.98 seconds, breaking the old mark of 34.00 he set the week before at a World Cup stop in Calgary, Canada. Both ovals are considered among the world’s fastest.

Before the 21-year-old Russian’s sensational skates, the world record had been 34.03 by Canada’s Jeremy Wotherspoon in November of 2007.

Last season, Kulizhnikov won the world 500-meter title as well as the world sprint crown.

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