Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin made headlines by winning a silver medal in the women’s balance beam at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 18-year-old gymnast topped the qualification stage, outscoring renowned competitors like Simone Biles of the USA and Rebeca Andrade of Brazil with an impressive score of 14.866. However, in the final round, Zhou scored 14.100, narrowly missing the gold medal to Italy’s Alice D’Amato.
Viral Medal Ceremony Moment
Beyond her athletic achievement, Zhou Yaqin captured the hearts of netizens during the medal ceremony. Her awkward yet endearing attempt to imitate fellow gymnasts Alice D’Amato and Manila Esposito by biting her silver medal for a photo quickly went viral on social media, further boosting her popularity.
Humble Return to Help Parents at Their Restaurant
Following her success at the Olympics, Zhou Yaqin returned to her hometown in Hengyang City, Hunan Province. Despite her newfound fame, she chose to assist her parents at their restaurant located on Furong Road in the Nanyue District. A video of Zhou serving food to customers and helping her parents in the restaurant went viral, with netizens praising her humility and work ethic.
Netizens Applaud Zhou Yaqin’s Humility
The video of Zhou Yaqin helping out at her parents’ restaurant garnered widespread admiration on social media. Netizens commended her for remaining humble and hardworking, even after achieving her maiden Olympic medal. Zhou’s actions served as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that success has not altered her dedication to her family and community.
Zhou Yaqin’s Gymnastics Career
In addition to her silver medal in the balance beam, Zhou Yaqin also competed in the all-around event and the women’s floor individual event at the Paris Olympics but did not secure a medal in those categories. Earlier this year, she won another silver medal at the World Gymnastics Championships, further establishing her as a rising star in the sport.
China’s Success in Women’s Gymnastics
Zhou Yaqin was one of five gymnasts, including Luo Huan, Ou Yushan, Qiu Qiyuan, and Zhang Yihan, selected to represent China in gymnastics at the Paris Olympics. China secured two medals in women’s gymnastics, with Zhou’s silver in the balance beam and Qiu Qiyuan’s silver in the uneven bars.
