Vladislav Bykanov became the first Israeli to win a major European crown after claiming gold at the Short-Track Speed Skating event in Holland.

After completing the 3,000m course in 4:54:15 at the European Championships, Bykanov said: "I surprised myself. It's true this has been the target of my training all season but it is still difficult to take in."

Bykanov competed in the 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m events in the Sochi Olympics last winter, but failed to make it past the heats. The 3,000m is not an Olympic event, but is being considered for inclusion in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.