The Chinese mainland's artistic gymnastics scene is abuzz with the meteoric rise of Zhou Yaqin, a name that was virtually unknown until her stunning victory at the National Games in Shaanxi Province in September 2021. At just 15 years old, Zhou clinched the gold medal on the balance beam, outperforming seasoned national team members and silencing skeptics who doubted her chances.
Despite not being a national team member when she won, Zhou's exceptional performance set her apart. Critics initially speculated that luck played a role in her victory, given the high-pressure nature of the balance beam event where even top athletes can falter. However, Zhou proved them wrong by maintaining her impressive form in the subsequent years.
“I knew I was competing with national champions, world champions, and Olympic gold medalists. I knew I have to work hard because National Games championship is not a big deal in the national team,” Zhou remarked, highlighting her determination and awareness of the competitive landscape.
Her hard work paid off when she was recruited by the Chinese national team. In 2023, Zhou reached the finals in both the balance beam and floor events at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, securing a silver medal on the balance beam.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Zhou participated in the Chinese National Artistic Championships in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, in April. She not only won the gold medal on the balance beam but also upgraded her difficulty score to 7.2—the most challenging balance beam routine in the world during the 2024 Olympiad—finishing with an impressive 15.466 points.
“Zhou is a typical Hunan girl who's always demanding of herself,” said Zhou's coach, Wang Liming. “She's hungry for success. That's a key part of her career.”
Zhou's journey hasn't been without obstacles. A week before the National Games balance beam final, she struggled with injuries and was on the brink of retirement. Her resilience and unwavering commitment, however, saw her through to claim the title and secure her qualification for the upcoming Olympics.
“I like my current form,” Zhou expressed confidently. “I'm in good form and all I need is a bit of adjustment. So, I hope that I can maintain this mindset when I perform at the Olympic Games.”
Reference(s):
Quick rise of artistic gymnast Zhou Yaqin comes from solid work
cgtn.com
