By Daniel Etchells

Sven Kramer (centre) celebrates with Koen Verweij (left) and Denis Yuskov (right) during the 2015 ISU European Speed Skating Championships medal ceremony ©Getty ImagesThe Netherlands' Sven Kramer has claimed a record-breaking seventh all-round title at the European Speed Skating Championships in Chelyabinsk, Russia, eclipsing the tally set by fellow Dutchman Rintje Ritsma between 1994 and 2000.

Despite trailing Koen Verweij ahead of the weekend's final event, the 10,000 metres, Kramer beat his compatriot by nine seconds to move on to 149.928 points and leapfrog the reigning world all-round champion in the overall standings.

Verweij, winner of the 500m sprint yesterday, registered an overall points tally of 150.107 to finish in the runners-up spot, while Russia's Denis Yuskov came third with 150.696 having triumphed in today's 1,500m event.

Meanwhile in the women's competition, there was more success for the Dutch as Ireen Wüst secured her third successive European all-round speed skating title.

The four-time Olympic gold medallist won the 500m and 1,500m events to finish with a total of 161.734 points, with the Czech Republic's Martina Sáblíková in second on 162.414, despite succeeding in the 3,000m and 5,000m events, and fellow Dutchwoman Linda de Vries in third on 163.695.

The Netherlands' Ireen Wüst won the 1,500 metre race on her way to claiming the women's European all-round speed skating crown ©Getty ImagesThe Netherlands' Ireen Wüst won the 1,500 metre race on her way to claiming the women's European all-round speed skating crown ©Getty Images










The Netherlands dominated speed skating at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, winning 23 of a possible 36 medals in all, and eight of the 12 golds.

Kramer won the 5,000m title and was part of the successful men's pursuit team, while Wüst struck gold in the 3,000m and was a member of the women's triumphant pursuit squad. 

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