Apolo Anton Ohno tabbed J.R. Celski as a future star four years ago.
With Ohno now retired and doing TV commentary, Celski has stepped into the void as the dominant American short track speedskater.
He won the 1,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials Sunday, giving Celski three individual events to compete in at the Sochi Games.
Celski heads to his second Olympics looking to add to the pair of bronze medals he won at the 2010 Vancouver Games, when Ohno was ending his career as America’s most decorated Winter Olympian.
Celski lost just one race during the four-day trials at the Utah Olympic Oval, finishing second by half a blade length to Chris Creveling in the first 1,000 final on Sunday.
Celski came back to easily win the second 1,000 final of the day.
Celski qualified for three events — 500, 1,000 and 1,500. #HAPAPRIDE #TEAMUSA
Source AP