Italy's Arianna Fontana upset home favourite Choi Min-jeong to take the women's 500m short-track speed skating Olympic gold on Tuesday.

South Korean golden girl Choi finished second by the length of half a blade but was then disqualified for interference. Dutch skater Yara van Kerkhoff of the Netherlands moved up to second with Canadian Kim Boutin in third.

The 27-year-old Fontana went one better after taking silver at this distance at Sochi 2014, to go with the bronzes she picked up in the 1,500m and relay four years ago.

For Choi, this was a major blow but she will be back at the Gangneung Ice Arena with strong prospects in the 1,000m and 1,500m as well as the 3,000m relay.

There was also heartache for Briton's Elise Christie. Disqualified three times at Sochi, the world champion held every chance until a wipe-out on the final lap sent her hurtling into the side padding.