Japan's Takagi Miho Shatters Olympic Record to Claim 1000m Speed Skating Gold at Milano Cortina

Japan's Miho Takagi delivered a masterclass performance in the women's 1000m speed skating event on Monday at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, obliterating the Olympic record to claim gold at the National Speed Skating Oval. The 33-year-old Japanese star clocked a blistering time of 1 minute 13.19 seconds, winning by a commanding margin of over half a second and cementing her legacy as one of speed skating's all-time greats. The race saw Takagi execute a near-perfect technical performance, maintaining optimal positioning and explosive power throughout all four laps of the oval. Her time not only broke the previous Olympic record but also demonstrated the kind of dominance rarely seen at this level of competition. Netherlands' Jutta Leerdam, one of the pre-race favorites, earned the silver medal with a strong performance of her own, while American veteran Brittany Bowe achieved a major milestone by claiming the bronze medal. For Bowe, the 37-year-old two-time Olympic medalist competing in her fourth and final Olympic Games, the bronze represents a fitting conclusion to an illustrious 16-year professional career. Throughout her career, Bowe has collected 91 World Cup medals, 22 national titles, six world titles including three in the 1000m, and set four world records. The 1000m bronze had eluded her until Milano Cortina, making this medal particularly sweet as she prepares for retirement. Takagi's victory continues Japan's strong tradition in middle-distance speed skating events. The Beijing 2022 Olympic champion entered the Milano Cortina Games as the favorite after winning three straight 1000m World Cup titles between 2023 and 2025. Her consistency throughout the season translated perfectly to the Olympic stage, where pressure can often derail even the most accomplished athletes. American hopes also rested on reigning 500m Olympic champion Erin Jackson, who made her 2026 Olympic debut in the 1000m alongside Bowe. While Jackson's specialty remains the shorter sprint distances, her participation demonstrated the depth of Team USA's speed skating program. The race took place at 11:30 a.m. ET and was broadcast live on Peacock and USA Network, drawing significant viewership as one of the marquee events on Day 3 of the Milano Cortina Games. This gold medal adds another chapter to Takagi's remarkable Olympic journey and reinforces her status as one of the premier middle-distance speed skaters of her generation. As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, her record-breaking performance will stand as one of the defining moments from the speed skating competition at Milano Cortina.