Yi Min, head coach of the Chinese women's team, said he was worried before the semifinals because Wang didn't skate to her best in the quarters.

China's Wang Meng (R) jubilates after crossing the line during the women's 500m short track speedskating final at the Turin Winter Olympics on Feb. 15. (Xinhua )

    "Wang Meng seemed to be a little tense and was not herself," Yin told Xinhua. "She should have won more easily."

    Wang, known for calmness in competition, said she didn't understand why she was suddenly so nervous.

    "I didn't feel pressure before I came to Turin. But here I realized that the Olympics is totally different from the World Cupor the world championships. That thought made me nervous," Wang said.

    Still immersed in excitement, Wang tried to calm down.

    "I should find composure quickly...I still have many races to go," she said. "I shouldn't think too much about this gold. I need to focus on the following races and try to win more medals."

    Radanova, who has been overshadowed by Wang for most of the season, accepted her defeat gracefully.

    "I am happy with my second silver," she said.

    The 28-year-old said she had witnessed the rise of a new generation of skaters over the past four years.

    "They have big power...I believe they will have very good future," she said.

    A track cyclist too, Radanova is one of the few athletes who competed both in winter and summer Olympic Games. She finished 12th in track cycling in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

    "I love both events. They are all very emotional," she told Xinhua, adding "I hope I could attend the 2008 Beijing Olympics."

    Canada's Leblang-Boucher was stunned by a surprise bronze. Finishing last in the four-skater final, she was awarded the bronze after Fu Tianyu was disqualified.

    "It's really good. I am really happy. It's difficult for me to realize, but it's true," she said.

    South Koreans Kang Yun-Mi and Jin Sun-Yu, tipped as biggest threats to Chinese skaters before the competition, were edged out in the semifinals. Enditem