The Canadian men’s relay team ensured the 2026 ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships – not to mention the season – ended just the way the capacity crowd in Montreal wanted, with a dramatic, last-gasp victory. 

In a reversal of the 1000m final earlier in the day, which saw Korean teenager Rim Jongun snatch gold from Canada’s William Dandjinou after a last-moment penalty call, the home team received the benefit of the referee’s decision in the 5000m Relay. 

That proved something of a redemption for Dandjinou who, after dominating the regular ISU World Tour season, had suffered a series of Olympic and World Championships disappointments. 

While he missed out on relay gold, Rim leaves Montreal with both distance world titles in his back pocket. That's not bad for a skater in his first senior season. 

Korea's Rim Jongun and Canada's William Dandjinou cross the 1000m finish line at the ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships in Montreal on Sunday © ISU

‘It’s who I am’

In fine voice throughout the Championships, the Maurice Richard Arena undoubtedly upped the decibel levels for the 5000m Relay final. 

With 2026 Olympic bronze medalists Italy falling early, it soon became a battle between Canada and the Republic of Korea. Much to the crowd’s delight, Canada seemed to have it in the bag after taking a sizeable lead with just a handful of laps left. But on the final leg, the Koreans flew back. By the final corner, the home team’s Maxime Laoun was behind. Yet, somehow, he found another gear to cross the line entwined with his Korean rival. 

All eyes turned to the referee. After a tense wait, the decision was revealed and the crowd went wild.
 

Canada's Maxime Laoun tracks Lee Jeongmin of Korea in the 5000m Relay final at the ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships in Montreal on Sunday © ISU

“I gave it everything and I hoped it was enough,” a relieved Laoun said afterwards. “I always tell people that it’s not the result that makes you the person you are, it’s the way you work for it, but it’s always nice to have a cherry on the top of your sundae.”

Dandjinou understands exactly what he means, especially after falling in his final race on Saturday, the men's 500m semifinal. 

“If I’m being honest, yesterday, after my last race, I told my coach I wasn’t coming for the 1000m. But I took a breather, slept on it, and then this morning was like, ‘OK, let’s try again’,” he said. 

“And I gave it my all today. That's the only thing I can do. That’s who I am.” 

China took silver and Italy the bronze.
 

China took silver and Italy bronze in the 5000m Relay at the ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships on Sunday © ISU

‘Believe in yourself’

Earlier in the day, Korea’s Rim completed a remarkable distance double. While the 18-year-old produced a stunning final lap to seal the 1500m on Saturday, just a day later he reversed his tactics to lead from the front. 

While Dandjinou thought he had caught his young rival with a perfectly timed lunge for the line, the referee thought otherwise, penalising the tall Canadian for a late arm block. That left the way clear for Jens van 't Wout to finish his stunning season with a silver medal. 

Jens van 't Wout took 1000m silver on Sunday at the ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships in Montreal © ISU

“Sleep well, eat whatever you want to eat, train so hard and believe in yourself,” Rim said, when asked to explain his success. 

The youngster finishes the season with two ISU World Tour titles, two Olympic medals and two World Championships golds, a haul his mother is apparently struggling to comprehend. 

“She cannot believe I am doing so well,” Rim laughed. “This season has made her so happy.” 

Rim Jongun reacts to winning 1000m gold at the ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships on Sunday © ISU

The family and friends of Great Britain’s Niall Treacy no doubt feel the same. The 25-year-old battled a significant gap in funding to somehow grab a brilliant bronze, the first individual World Championships medal won by a male British skater in 30 years.

“It’s unreal really,” said Treacy, who made the 1500m Olympic final only to fall. “When it came up on the screen that I was in third it was pure elation. 

“The funding that we have is super limited. The guys on the team, we don’t have a wage, so we really struggle to make it through the year and deciding what we can do in terms of (training) camps or support staff. Hopefully this will be the start of progression for Short Track in Great Britain.”

Niall Treacy took 1000m bronze Sunday at the ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships in Montreal © ISU

‘Dreams do come true’

A brilliantly dramatic Mixed Relay final kicked off the day's action. With no B Final, Italy, who had initially failed to get out of their semifinal, were advanced to the A Final. The Olympic champions took full advantage. 

With 20 skaters on the ice, all the skill and fun of Short Track was on show. The Netherlands and Korea crashed early, which left Canada fighting Italy at the front. 

After swapping positions throughout it came down to Steven Dubois versus Pietro Sighel in a two-lap shootout. Roared on by the crowd, Dubois swooped past Sighel but, sensing the chance of a rare Olympic and world double, the Italian hit back on the final lap and held on. Belgium took bronze to replicate the 2026 Olympic podium. 

Pietro Sighel celebrates Italy's win in the Mixed Team Relay on Sunday, ahead of Canada and Belgium © ISU

“I gave him the space to make the pass and if you do that with Pietro he’s going to take your spot,” said Dubois, after adding silver to the 500m gold he won on Saturday. “Some things I’ve still got to learn.” 

Tineke Den Dulk, meanwhile, has recently had to learn what to do on a podium. Ranked 44th in the ISU World Tour classifications, the Belgian only qualified for the Olympic Games at the last possible moment. Since then, she’s collected a dream double. It’s the sort of sporting story that ends a thrilling season in a perfect manner. 

“Crazy stuff, dreams do come true,” Den Dulk said of her two relay bronze medals. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around what’s happened.”