The Russian-born Pole Semirunniy, who set the record time of 12:28.05 at Thialf in Heerenveen, the Netherlands, in December, set the pace of 12:39.08 before the 19-year-old Czech Metodej Jilek took the top spot with a blistering 12:33.44.
Jilek's time put the podium spot of 40-year-old Jorrit Bergsma, who won gold on the 10,000m in 2014 and silver in 2018, in jeopardy after the Dutchman put in a terrific effort against reigning world champion Davide Giotto, who finished over five seconds behind Bergsma.
In the final heat, Norwegian prodigy Sander Eitrem failed to fulfil his potential after blowing up midway through the ride as Timothy Loubineaud took over, but failed to knock Bergsma off the podium after falling three seconds short of the Dutchman's time.
The 40-year-old Bergsma ended his Olympic career on a high note, but Metodej Jilek was the star of the day with the Czech Republic's first medal in the men's speed skating, one day after the great Martina Sablikova ended her illustrious Olympic career.
Full classification
