Liu Shaoang

Shaoang Liu is a Hungarian short-distance speed skater who recently achieved the biggest triumph of his career to date by winning his first individual Olympic gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics. In addition to this, he won the 500m and was top of the overall classification at the 2021 World Championships. He also has one other Olympic gold medal in his cabinet, a team relay gold won at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Back in 2017, he stormed the World Junior Championships after winning the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m competitions.

Liu was born in Budapest in 1998. His mother is Hungarian and his father is Chinese. He spent a year in the latter country training in speed skating after taking it up when he was six years old. His professional career began during the 2013/14 season when he made his debut at the World Junior Championships, helping the Hungarian men’s team to silver medal position in the Men’s 3000m Relay.

Liu continued to be a vital part of the men’s relay team at junior and senior level. He secured his first major solo medal at the 2016 World Championships, finishing second in the 1500m. The following year, he ended his junior career with his stunning Junior World gold-medal treble. 2018 saw his Winter Olympics debut, and he won gold as part of the Men’s 5000m Relay team. The relay team continued to dominate major events, and Liu’s solo results continued to improve, and in 2021, he became the official men’s speed skating world champion, a position reinforced by his subsequent Olympic gold medal.