Latvian short tracker Bērziņš recently faced disappointment during the 500-meter race when he collided with Turkish competitor Furkan Akar in the last turn before the finish line. Bērziņš had aspirations of finishing in the top two in a competitive field of four but was ultimately let down by the unforeseen accident. He described feeling lost during the race, emphasizing the heightened speed involved in the 500-meter distance and the reduced time available to react effectively.

Despite the collision leading to Akar's disqualification, Bērziņš's position at the time left him outside the qualifying spots, resulting in his exclusion from the quarterfinals as ruled by officials. The emotional aftermath of the race was palpable for Bērziņš, who struggled to articulate the chaotic moments that transpired and expressed a desire to review the race footage to understand better what went wrong.

This incident underscores the competitive nature of short track speed skating, where fractions of a second can define success or failure. For Bērziņš, the experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports, as he sets his sights on future competitions while navigating the ups and downs inherent in athletic pursuits.