China's first speed skating Olympic champion Zhang Hong settled for a third-finish in the women's 500 meters at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships in Kolomna, Russia on Saturday.

South Korean star Lee Sang-hwa dominated the race and captured her third world title. She posted the track record time of 74.859 seconds after two runs. Brittany Bowe of the United States took the silver in 75.663, and Zhang got the bronze in 75.688. China's Yu Jing ranked eighth.

Zhang had the second-best time in the first run, but she could only manage the third fastest mark in the second.

Zhang, who won China's first Olympic gold in speed skating at Sochi 2014 where she triumphed in 1,000m, finished fifth in the event at the worlds on Friday.

Lee has been Zhang's arch rival and it was her first world championships in three years. Lee has won the past two Olympic gold medals in the 500m and also holds the world record in the distance at 36.36 seconds.

Prior to this competition, Lee and Zhang had been tied with four ISU World Cup titles apiece this season, though Zhang was leading over Lee in World Cup points, 690 to 680, thanks to additional podium finishes.