Japan's Nao Kodaira took the women's title at the ISU World Sprint Speed Skating Championships in Heerenveen ©Getty Images

Japan's Nao Kodaira and Russia's Pavel Kulizhnikov claimed the women's and men's titles at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Sprint Speed Skating Championships in Heerenveen.

Defending champion Kodaira retained her title by winning the 500 metres and coming third in the 1,000m at the Thialf Ice Arena.

She recorded a time of 37.41 in the 500m, finishing ahead of Brittany Bowe of the United States in 37.67 and Russia's Angelina Golikova in 37.71.

Japan's Miho Takagi was the victor in the 1,000m with a time of 1:14.56.

Bowe was second with 1:14.64, while Kodaira finished in 1:14.96.

Kodaira's results were enough to maintain her lead in the standings with 149.665 points and give her the title after yesterday's opening 500m and 1,000m races.

It is the third World Sprint title of her career.

Russia's Pavel Kulizhnikov celebrates winning the third ISU World Sprint Speed Skating Championships of his career ©Getty Images
Russia's Pavel Kulizhnikov celebrates winning the third ISU World Sprint Speed Skating Championships of his career ©Getty Images

Compatriot Takagi took second with 150.050 points, while Bowe was third with 150.180 points.

Kulizhnikov finally won a race in the men's competition today, having finished third in both of yesterday's events.

He triumphed in the 500m with a time of 34.31, defeating Japan's Tatsuya Shinhama in 34.45 and Kai Verbjj of The Netherlands in 34.74.

Kulizhnikov then came second in the 1,000m, with his time of 1:08.62 not enough to beat Kjeld Nuis of The Netherlands, who finished in 1:07.80.

Norway's Håvard Holmefjord Lorentzen was third in 1:08.73.

Kulizhnikov's second place finish was sufficient to give him the third World Sprint title of his career with a total of 137.390 points. 

Shinhama was in second with 137.805, while Nuis was third with 137.860 points.