Skip to content
Lavina Jahorina

lavina-jahorina.com

Lavina Jahorina

lavina-jahorina.com

U.S. Figure Skater Vincent Zhou, 17, Says an Olympic Berth Is 'What I've Been Dreaming Of'

Toby Lambert, February 15, 2018

American figure skater Vincent Zhou has been quietly making his mark on the ice while on his way to the Winter Olympics, and the teenager says a berth at the Games is a dream come true.

Zhou, 17, showed the world he a force in the skating world after a massive showing last year, which saw him become the first junior in history to land a quadruple lutz, which blazed his path to winning the 2017 World Junior Championships, 2017 Bavarian Open championships, and earning silver at the 2017 U.S. National and bronze at the 2018 U.S. National.

All of that has helped place him on the verge of his debut appearance at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.

“The Olympics is …,” Zhou told PEOPLE prior to the Games, “it’s what I’ve been dreaming of.”

The Palo Alto, California, native was introduced to the ice when he was just a toddler, and though he couldn’t do very much on the rink at the time, he didn’t shy away from it when he had a chance to lace up a pair of skates two years later.

“When I was three, my dad took me to the local ice rink to have fun, and I was on the ice — I wasn’t able to move, I could only stand there — and my dad came and held my hand and dragged me around the rink,” says Zhou, a child of Chinese immigrants. “My actual skating career didn’t start until I was 5 and a half and my friend had a birthday party. After that, my parents decided to sign me up for lessons.”

Keep Following PEOPLE’s Complete Coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics

What would begin as a hobby would become something much more meaningful for Zhou.

“At first it was just another thing to do after school, somewhere else to channel my energy, but it kind of stuck with me and started getting up earlier to do it, and spending more time,” he says. “Eventually, I was sacrificing a lot just to skate.”

Zhou was named to the 2018 Olympic team in early January alongside Nathan Chen and Adam Rippon, making Zhou the youngest skater on the team. The trio joins female figure skaters Bradie Tennell, Mirai Nagasu and Karen Chen as members of Team USA.

The rise and grind of skating that Zhou has endured for over a decade has shown him what it takes to become great at the sport. This is work is about to put him on a world stage like none other.

“That greatly increased my appreciation and understanding of how difficult the sport really is,” Zhou says. “It helps me love it and not take it for granted.”

The Winter Olympics will air live starting Feb. 8 from Pyeongchang, South Korea. To learn more, visit teamusa.org. Coverage will air in the U.S. on NBC.

Entertainment

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Categories

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Cheap Down Jackets Men

  • Top 10 Best Fashion Jackets and Coats Mens Comparison

  • Men Columbia Long Jackets

  • Sugar Infant Boots

  • Vintage Buffalo Bills Shirt

  • Two Tone Short Men 30

  • Boots Infant Clothes Sale

  • Dog Fashion Shows Exists and This Pup-Loving Designer Makes them a Reality

  • Olivia Culpo On How Relatable ‘Model Squad’ Is: You’ll See The Reality Behind The Glamour

  • Leather Jackets for Men’s Style

  • Pulp Fiction Hoodie

  • Ll Bean Down Jackets Men’s

  • Top 10 Best Salwater Fishing Rod Comparison

  • Added benefits of Community Search Engine Marketing Services

  • Men’s Winter Hooded Jackets

  • Top 10 Best Sportcoats and Blazers on Sale Comparison

  • Hey Jude T Shirt Urban Outfitters

  • Lavina Jahorina: Top 10 Hoodies Vans [2018]: Vans Men’s Big Hit PO Hoodie

  • Southpole Men’s Belted Ripstop Cargo Shorts

  • How to Develop Your Brand’s Personality

  • What Are Antioxidants, And How Much Of Them Should You Be Eating?<br />

  • Web Design Ideas to Show Off Your Personality

  • Leather Winter Biker Jacket for Men’s

  • Child Blue Western Boots

  • Top 10 Best What Is A Pan Trivets? Comparison

  • Top 10 Best Sports Blazers for Men Comparison

  • Men’s Jean Winter Jacket

  • Infant Girl Boots Size 2

  • Plaid Sport Jackets

  • Men’s Grinch Christmas Sweaters

©2025 Lavina Jahorina | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes