by sportswriters Zhang Xinwen, Wang Jingyu, Yue wenwan

MILAN, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Olympic champion Ning Zhongyan said on Friday he was still overwhelmed after claiming three medals from three speed skating events at the Milan-Cortina, including a historic gold in the men's 1,500m.

"I hadn't imagined this at all. After winning the first medal in the 1,000m, I felt my life was already complete," Ning said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

When he later secured bronze in the team pursuit, a new thought came to mind. "I gave myself a hint that I had to change the color. I didn't want another bronze," he said with a smile. "But I never expected it would turn into gold."

In Thursday's 1,500m final, Ning defeated American prodigy Jordan Stolz, widely regarded as one of the sport's most gifted young talents.

"The energy systems required for 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m are all different. To excel in all three is extremely difficult," he said. "I used to think that was impossible for a human being. But Jordan's emergence has challenged that perception. People call him a genius teenager. He truly is."

Despite holding an advantage after Stolz's second lap, Ning admitted he did not dare to celebrate.

"I know his level very well, especially his last lap. He can really do anything," he said. "When I saw he was 1.3 seconds slower, I was still wondering whether he would make it back in the final lap. Even when he crossed the line, I still couldn't believe I had won."

The victory marked the first gold medal in the men's 1,500m won by an Asian skater since the inaugural Winter Olympics in 1924. Ning said the achievement carries special significance.

"For Asia, I think this medal showed that we are not weak in this event. We can win gold medals too. Also, for everyone on the Chinese speed skating team, including the staff and athletes, it's something to feel very proud of, and it gives us great motivation," he said.

"For myself, it feels like fulfillment. I've always been striving for a gold medal at the Winter Olympics, and now that goal has been realized."

He added that the sport itself is undergoing change. In the past, the Netherlands had dominated speed skating for years. But in Milan, more countries have emerged as strong contenders.

Ning also expressed the hope that the Chinese team will continue to strengthen its training philosophy and explore more advanced methods in the next Olympic cycle. "The overall level of the team is already improving, and I believe the road ahead will definitely be very bright for us."

Moments after the race, Ning skated toward his Dutch coach, Johan De Wit, and the two embraced in tears.

"I told him I couldn't believe all this was real," Ning recalled. "He said, 'You did it. You are the best today.' We were both crying."

Training overseas under De Wit marked a turning point in his career. After experiencing disappointment at the Beijing Winter Olympics, Ning chose to step out of his comfort zone and join an international club.

"The schedule overseas is very tight. Every day is tightly scheduled," he said. "Sometimes I miss home very much, but after thinking it through, I reminded myself that the most important goal was the Milan-Cortina, so I managed to overcome it."

The high-level training environment, he said, forced him to stay focused and helped him gain a clearer understanding of his goals and the path to achieving them. "I understand myself better."

He also drew inspiration from Olympic champions and medalists within the club.

"Their resilience in training, their focus in daily preparation, and their energy distribution in races are all things I've learned," he said.

Ning spoke with respect about Dutch veteran Kjeld Nuis, the bronze medalist in the 1,500m and his long-time idol. The ups and downs of Nuis' career resonated with Ning following his own setback in Beijing 2022. The two skated in the same pair in Thursday's final and delivered strong performances in a closely contested race.

Saying that beating his childhood idol was not entirely unexpected, Ning said he had long set that goal for himself. "I treated him as an opponent, and I kept saying to myself that I had to beat him, that I must win."

Friendships have also developed alongside fierce competition among elite skaters.

"We joke around with each other. I've taught them, including Stolz and Nuis, some Chinese, and I can speak a little Dutch as well," he said.

Although he has now conquered one of the sport's highest peaks, Ning remains measured about the future.

"The 'mountain' is always there," he said. "You don't know whether you'll cross it again next time. So I'll keep a calm mindset. In the next four years, I'll try to cross it again."

"My next dream is to defend the title," he added. ■