It was a dramatic finale at the Capital Indoor Stadium as Liu and Ren went toe-to-toe for the gold medal.

Liu produced a desperate lunge, slipping as his skate crossed the line first, appearing to dash China’s hopes of another short track speed skating crown.

The Hungarian celebrated only to be forced to wait while officials held a lengthy video review.

After several replays of their collision on the finish line, the judge ruled that Liu had committed two fouls, resulting in a heart-breaking disqualification.

While Liu was left crestfallen, the home fans rejoiced as Ren sealed his second title of Beijing 2022 after being part of China’s victorious 2,000m mixed relay victory.

"I feel very happy," said Ren who triumphed in 1mins 26.768secs.

"This is the best gift for my hard work during the past four years and I feel happy I made contributions for my country.

"It was really intense."

Ren was joined on the podium by compatriot Li Wenlong who claimed silver in 1:29.917, while Hungary's Shaoang Liu was promoted to bronze with a time of 1:35.693 after his older brother was disqualified.

Italian Arianna Fontana recovered from a fall to retain the women’s 500m title and capture her 10th Olympic medal.

Fontana fell at the first corner, meaning the finalists had to be called back to the start line.

After the restart, world champion Suzanne Schulting of The Netherlands burst into the lead with Fontana closely tracking her.

Fontana then nipped ahead of Schulting with one lap to go before clinching victory in 42.48.

Schulting took silver in 42.57, with Canada's Kim Boutin sealing bronze in 42.73.

"I felt again all the pain and all the bad times I had in the last two years," said Fontana.

"Me and my coach and my family went through a lot after stupid problems we had at home with the federation.

"I went to Hungary and then back to Italy and COVID happened.

"A lot of things we went through the last few years, we were able to hang on.

"My husband and my coach says all the time 'we need to be agile, all style', so tonight was incredible.

"I told them I was going to come back and win again and here I am."

Fontana has now won two golds, two silvers and six bronzes as she improved her status as the most decorated short track skater in Olympic history.

"I don't know what to say about it," said Fontana.

"When I was a little kid I just wanted to go to the Olympics and win a gold medal.

"Now I have two and eight more medals.

"It's incredible.

"There are no words that I can say to describe it."

Competition is due to continue on Wednesday (February 9) with the women’s 1,000m heats, women’s 3,000m relay semi-finals and men’s 1,500m quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.