North Korean Speed Skater Appears To Trip Opponent After Falling

North Korean short-track speed skater Kwang Bom Jong caused a stir during a preliminary heat of the men’s 500 meter race. Right after the start of his race he stumbled and fell flat on his stomach, at which point he appeared to reach out and attempt to trip Japanese skater Ryosuke Sakazume.

Officials decided to restart the race, but Jong didn’t make much of his second chance. He managed to stay on his skates for just half a lap, at which point he bumped into Sakazume, lost his balance, and went sliding into the rink’s padding.

Jong did not speak to the media after the race, but Sakazume gave him the benefit of the doubt, telling reporters that he believed the attempted trip was unintentional.