Japan's Hiroyasu Shimizu outshone Canadian rival Jeremy Wotherspoon to win the 500 meters at the speedskating World Cup meet Saturday on the same rink he gave his country its first-ever Olympic speedskating gold medal.
Shimizu powered around the M-Wave indoor ice arena in Nagano -- scene of his epic win in 1998 -- clocking 35.22 seconds to beat world record-holder Wotherspoon, who clocked 35.67.
Canadian Michael Ireland placed third in 35.81.
In the men's 1,000 meters, up-and-coming Toyoki Takeda came close to making it a golden double for the Japanese men after a late burst down the final straight saw him cross the line in 1 minute, 10.45 seconds -- giving him the lead with one pair remaining to race.
But Norway's Adne Sondral, paired with South Korea's Choi Jae Bong, spoiled Japan's party plans by streaking home in 1:10.40 to grab the gold.
Casey FitzRandolph of the United States finished third in 1:10.62.
In the women's races, Japan's Eriko Sanmiya emerged as a double medalist and snared her second World Cup gold medal in six days in the 1,000 meters while also taking silver in the 500.
In the 1,000, Sanmiya edged reigning world champion Monique Garbrecht of Germany, who clocked 1:17.14.
Japanese compatriot Aki Tonoike finished third in 1.17.25.
In the 500 meters, world record-holder Catriona LeMay-Doan of Canada claimed the gold medal with a time of 38.61 ahead of Sanmiya in 38.88.
Tonoike picked up her second bronze of the day, sharing third place with Garbrecht as both recorded 38.89.