Only four years after picking up aerials, Han took the silver medal at the Ninth National Winter Games in 1999. He won his first national championship one year later.

Serious injury

In 2000, Han made his World Cup debut as one of the best men's aerialists on the national team. But as the Olympics approached, the talented youngster hit a major hurdle.

At the end of 2001, just two months before the Salt Lake City Games, Han tore a ligament in his right knee during a training session. He made it to the Games anyway, but his ailing knee resulted in a poor performance.

He would recover, however, and during the 2004-05 season, Han ended the year ranked third in the World Cup standings, finishing second at the Czech stop leading up to the Turin Games.

His unexpected victory in Turin suddenly made him a national hero. His efforts allowed China to achieve another landmark on snow after the country had ended its Winter Olympic gold-medal drought in 2002 when Yang Yang snatched two short-track speed skating titles.

Han said the Olympic gold completely changed his life.

"I became much busier after coming back from the Turin Games," he said. "As an athlete, I like this kind of feeling, since I gained it through my efforts. I like to feel the accomplishment."

But he understands that if he wants to repeat his glory, he must start from the very beginning and work even harder.

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