Ireen Wust wins sixth gold medal to become most successful Olympic speed skater in history

The Dutch skater described her achievement as ‘insane’ after winning the 1,500m by just under half a second

Gold medallist Netherlands' Ireen Wust celebrates (AFP via Getty Images)

Ireen Wust became the most successful Olympic speed skater in history with six gold medals on Monday after sweeping round the Beijing oval to retain her tile and win the Winter Games 1,500 metres by just under half a second.

Victory put the Netherlands’ most decorated Olympian ahead of Germany’s Claudia Pechstein, who has won five skating golds.

Wust‘s 12 medals in total also put her in joint third for most podiums overall for men or women at the Winter Olympics.

“I can’t describe it yet. It’s insane, actually,” she said afterwards. “A lot of emotions - especially the good ones!”

The reigning champion set the pace with an Olympic record time of 1:53.28, then watched as world record holder Miho Takagi of Japan failed to match it in the final race.

Takagi started strong, shaving three tenths of a second off Wust‘s first lap, but by the 700m mark she had dropped behind.

As Wust cried and hugged team mates in joy, her rival appeared resigned.

Ireen Wust of Team Netherlands celebrates (Getty Images)

Takagi claimed silver for the second successive Olympics in 1:53.72 and another Dutchwoman, Antoinette de Jong, took bronze in 1:54.82.

Wust won 11 medals over four previous Games since her Olympic debut in Turin in 2006. The 35-year-old plans to retire after the Beijing Olympics.