Japan's Miho Takagi wins speed skating gold

Japan's Miho Takagi clinched her first gold of the Beijing Olympics on Thursday, following up on the three other medals she has already won in the Winter Games so far, as she sailed to victory in the women's 1,000 metres speed skating.

Takagi kept close to the pace set by silver medallist Jutta Leerdam at the onset of the race.

Despite falling behind at one point, she breezed through the final lap half a second ahead of Leerdam's time and crossed the finish line in an Olympic record of 1 minute 13.19 seconds.

The 27-year-old punched the air in delight upon seeing her time after crossing the finish line.

Dutchwoman Leerdam claimed silver in 1:13.83, while Brittany Bowe of the United States took bronze in 1:14.61.