1,000 metres, Men

Of the Beijing podium, champion Ren Ziwei had retired, while runner-up Li Wenlong did not qualify for any individual events in Milano. Bronze medallist Shaoang Liu had followed-up with the 2022 world title, but had then taken a forced break as he switched nationality from Hungary to China. Other skaters had earned World titles in the intervening years: Park Ji-Won had won in 2023 but had not qualified for the Korean team, while William Dandjinou won in 2024 and Steven Dubois in 2025. The 2025/26 World Tour season had seen 4 different winners in 4 races: Pietro Sighel, Dandjinou, Jens van ‘t Wout and the young up-and-coming Korean In Jong-Eon.

Of the favorites, only Dubois failed to reach the quarter-finals due to a fall, while Sighel eliminated himself in the quarter-finals with a loudly booed penalty. Liu made it into the semi-finals, but was unable to contend for a qualifying spot. Dandjinou, Van ‘t Wout and In did reach the last round, with Sun Long and Roberts Krūzbergs also making it. Dandjinou grabbed the lead off the pistol, but was overtaken by Van ‘t Wout after one lap, although the Canadian reverted this another lap later. At the bell, Van ‘t Wout passed Dandjinou again, on the inside. As the Canadian tried to counter this, Sun passed him on the outside. The five skaters were nearly side by side at the finish, with Van ‘t Wout only just holding off Sun. In, who’d been fifth just a lap earlier, passed Dandjinou on the outside for the bronze.

Jens van ‘t Wout’s gold medal was the first by a male short tracker from the Netherlands, and only their second medal ever in the event. At 18 years and 103 days, In Jong-Eon was the second youngest medalist in the event, after fellow 18-year-old Kim Dong-Seong won in 1998.