China's Han Tianyu (front) competes in the Men's Short Track 5,000 meters Relay Semifinals during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games on Thursday. Photo: CFP

Before Han Tianyu grabbed a silver medal at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, the first medal for China in the events, his name was little known to the nation.

Nobody expected the 17-year-old to achieve success in the men's 1,500 meters short track speed skating event, leveling Li Jiajun who took silver at the same event at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in 2002 at the age of 27.

"It's amazing to skate on the track with the national flag unfurling in my hand," an emotional Han told CCTV after winning the silver medal.

Han even finished the race a place before his hero, Russian Victor An, 28, who used to skate for South Korea under the name of Ahn Hyun-soo and won three gold medals at the Turin Games in 2006, becoming the youngest­ medalist in the Winter Olympic­ Games.

Han's performance also won praise from Yang Yang, a former Chinese short track speed skater and current IOC member.

"I was surprised when I saw Han compete in the final with such an impressive performance; it's not easy for him," Yang told Xinhua.

"You need both talent and to be psychologically prepared. The former may be easier than the latter because it is hard to avoid competition nerves.

"If Han wants to be among the top three racers in the world, there's still a long way to go. But he does have that potential," Yang noted.

After Li's retirement in 2006, few Chinese male skaters have been able to reach the finals of the 1,500 meters short track race. But this year's 1,500 meters final saw Han and compatriot Chen Dequan both qualifying for the final race. Chen finished the final in fifth place.

Han began the sport in 2006, and won gold in the 1,500 meters at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Melbourne.

He now has his sights set on winning the 1,000 meters final which will take place on Saturday, after qualifying for the quarterfinals together with 19-year-old compatriot Wu Dajing on Thursday.

"Han became a star racer after taking silver in the 1,500 meters event. I hope he can compete calmly and skate himself at the 1,000 metes," Yang said.

Han will also eye a gold medal at the men's 5,000 meters relay event after Team China qualified for the final in the semis, in which gold medal favorites Canada and South Korea both crashed out.