HAMAR, Norway (Kyodo) -- Japan's Miho Takagi won the women's 1,000 meters at the speed skating world championships on Saturday, becoming her country's first back-to-back individual event winner at the tournament.

The 2022 Beijing Olympics gold medalist in the distance crossed the line in 1 minute, 14.75 seconds in Hamar, Norway, 0.23 ahead of Femke Kok of the Netherlands in second. Jutta Leerdam, also of the Netherlands, was 0.07 further back in third.

"I managed to stay tenacious until the end," Takagi said. "There were issues and I think it wasn't the perfect race, but I have experienced the importance and difficulty of winning at this tournament."

"I'm happy with the fact I've won."

It has been a productive season for Takagi after the 30-year-old extended her Japan record, individual World Cup wins to 36 in events competed at the Olympics.

Takagi won four medals at the last Olympics and is set to be the key figure for her country at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games next February.