by Zou Dapeng and Wang Hengzhi     

    JILIN, Northeast China, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Inspired by her considerate husband, Chinese Liu Xianying savored a sweet revenge over Japanese Tamami Tanaka here on Monday at the sixth Asian Winter Games.

    Four years ago, Liu and compatriot Kong Yingchao were hot favorites to win the women's 7.5 kilometers sprint biathlon event at the Winter Asiad in Aomori, Japan, but Tanaka snatched the gold surprisingly on her home soil.

    "Yes, I got a feeling of revenge," said Liu Xianying at the post-event press conference. "I really wanted to beat our old rival and to win the event for China."

    "I am also happy to win China's first gold in snow sports at this games," said the 30-year-old Jilin native.

    Liu, Kong and Dong Xue made a clean sweep of the women's 7.5km sprint Monday morning, beating Tamami to the fourth place.

    Du Bo, Liu's husband, watched the whole competition, but he dared not cheer out for his beloved.

    "I am afraid I could have distracted her attention, sometimes Ieven dared not watch her," Du said. "I was wearing a red coat, so I am easy to be noticed. Sometimes I was even trying to hide from her."

    But Liu Xianying knew very well that her husband was there, and she was more than happy about that.

    "I am very happy that he was watching me during the competition, he gave me courage and confidence," Liu said.

    Du, a teacher in Liaoning province, came here a week before the Games to accompany and help Liu prepare for the competitions.

    "We have no plan of celebration now. If we are to celebrate, it will be after China sweep all the golds in the women's events."