Nana Takagi in tears after last-second crash hands gold medal to Canada in women’s team pursuit

Japan had another Winter Olympic gold medal in its grasp with just one turn to go in the women’s speedskating team pursuit.

Then, the unthinkable happened.

Nana Takagi lost her balance and crashed into the padding at the Beijing speedskating oval coming through the final corner of the gold medal race.

You can watch the heartbreaking moment in the video above

Because the final time isn’t recorded until all three skaters cross the line, Canada instead coasted to a surprising victory.

Takagi finally crossed more than 11 seconds behind the Canadians, breaking down in tears as she was consoled by Japan’s other two skaters - her sister, Miho, and Ayano Sato.

“My mind hasn’t recovered from the fall,” she said through an interpreter. “It’s hard to me to think or talk about it right now.”

Takagi was at the back of a three-skater train and appeared to simply lose her balance while Japan were 0.32 seconds ahead with only a half-lap to go.

Miho Takagi did her best to console her older sibling.

“That skater who falls will feel guilty,” she said. “That is why I hugged my sister.”

Meanwhile, Canadian skater Isabelle Weidemann was stunned by the gold medal win.

“We have been chasing Japan for so long,” Weidemann said.

“We look a lot at their synchronicity. They skate so beautifully together. They look like one perfect unit.”

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In the men’s team pursuit, Norway’s skaters stayed upright to capture their second straight gold medal in the event.

The United States won its second speedskating medal of the Beijing Games, claiming the men’s bronze and denying Dutch star Sven Kramer a 10th career medal in what is likely