Two gold medals at two consecutive Winter Olympics — but claimed with two different sets of feelings.

Having experienced ups and downs after the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, China's Zhou Yang successfully defended her Olympic title in the women's 1,500m short track speed skating at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games on Saturday.

Her victory came after years of trials following the 2010 Games.

"It had been very difficult for me in the past four years, and this moment finally came. I finally made it," the 22-year-old said after her win.

"I was in very bad condition after the last Olympics, and I used to think of giving up. But the whole team supported me, and my coach has never given up on me. I still had the dream to pursue. So, I came here to win."

At the final in Sochi, Zhou — the world record holder — skated near the front for the race's duration and avoided a three-skater collision mid-race.

She took the lead with one lap to go, edging out archrival Shim Suk-hee of South Korea.

Zhou finished in 2 minutes, 19.140 seconds and was followed by Shim, who took silver. The 500m silver medalist Arianna Fontana of Italy took the bronze.

It was China's third gold at the Sochi Games and the second one from short track speed skating.

China's Li Jianrou won the women's 500m on Thursday. Li did not finish the 1,000m race due to the collision.

"I was nervous at the beginning, but after I finished it I felt so thrilled," Zhou said.

"When I won four years ago, it was a dream come true, and I knew I could help my parents live better lives. But now, after experiencing a lot during the past four years, I didn't expect I could come back to the Olympic Games.

"I just wanted to do my best during training and competition. I'm very happy that I've stepped on the highest podium again."

The native of Northeast China's Jilin province was selected by a local coach for speed skating at the age of 8 and soon turned to short track. She entered the national team in 2006 and won the World Junior Championships immediately afterward with a gutsy display of power and pride.

Her form improved en route to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

She blazed a new world record in the 1,500m in 2008. In addition to her gold in Vancouver, she also helped the Chinese team win the women's 3,000m relay.

But Zhou's performance bottomed out after Vancouver because of an injury and poor physical condition. She did not compete in any international competitions until the 2013-14 season, when she claimed two bronzes at the World Cup Series.

Coach Li Yan said Zhou has beaten herself.

"Being persistent is the spirit of China's short track speed skating team. We will never give up in the face of difficulties," Li said.

"Everyone could see Zhou's persistence. She conquered the injuries and the weak mindset to win."

Zhou vowed to continue the team's dominance in Sochi.

【新聞快訊】

15日的短道速滑賽場，中國隊又傳喜訊：在索契冬奧會短道速滑女子1500米比賽中，中國選手周洋以2分19秒140的成績獲得冠軍，成功實現(xiàn)了自己在這個項目上的衛(wèi)冕，也為中國代表團摘得了索契冬奧會上的第三枚金牌。

比賽中，韓國選手金雅朗在內(nèi)道過人時出現(xiàn)失誤，在她摔倒的同時也將中國選手李堅柔和美國選手斯考特帶出了賽道，三人提前退出了獎牌爭奪。后半程，韓國名將沈石溪一直占據(jù)著領先位置，周洋幾次嘗試超越都未能找到合適的時機。比賽還剩最后兩圈時，周洋終于在內(nèi)道找到了反超機會，突然加速搶到首位，并保持住了優(yōu)勢，最終她以不到0.1秒的優(yōu)勢戰(zhàn)勝了沈石溪。