There was more gold medal success for the Netherlands on the third day of the world speed skating championships in South Korea.

In the men’s 10,000 metres, Sven Kramer successfully defended his 10,000 metres title in a time of 12.38.89 – a new national record.

Team mate Jorrit Bergsma took silver in 12.43.96 and Patrick Beckert of Germany won bronze.

Earlier, Kjeld Nuis, 27, seized his first world title by winning the men’s 1,000 metres. Fellow Dutchman Kai Verbij was third.

Nuis, who was been on the world championships medal podium four times before in the 1,000 metres – with two silver and two bronze – said after the race he was relieved and delighted to have finally taken the top spot.

Women’s 1,000 metres

In the women’s 1,000 metres, defending champion Jorien ter Mors managed no more than third place, losing out to America’s Heather Bergsma and Nao Kodaira of Japan. Marrit Leenstra was fourth.

‘I’m not happy but there is no more I could have done,’ Ter Mors said after the race.

Sunday is the final day of the tournament with the men and women’s 1,500 metres and the mass start. Marrit Leenstra, Jorien ter Mors and Ireen Wüst are all competing in the 1,500 metres, while Sven Kramer, Kjeld Nuis and Patrick Roest take to the ice in the men’s event.