January 26, 2015

Israeli speed skater Vladislav Bykanov iced world champion Viktor An to take the gold medal in the 3,000 meter race of the European Short Track Speed Skating championship.

Vladislav Bykanov (Elite Sport Department of Israel)
Vladislav Bykanov (Elite Sport Department of Israel)

Bykanov is the first Israeli to even win an international speed skating contest.

“I cannot express in words how it feels to be the European championship,” the 26-year-old Bykanov told Ynet. “This is a huge step forward in my career.”

The Kiryat Shmona-based Bykanov, who was born in Ukraine and immigrated to Israel, beat An by 15 seconds and some 500 meters.

Bykanov represented Israel in Sochi but failed to secure a medal.

 

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