Vincent Zhou
An American figure skater who made history by landing the first quad Lutz in Olympic competition, blending technical daring with artistic ambition on the world stage.
Born 2000 (age 26)·American figure skater·Birthday: October 25·Generation Z
Biography
Vincent Zhou is a skater who operates at the razor's edge of what is physically possible on the ice. Born in 2000 in San Jose, California, he emerged as a junior prodigy, winning the U.S. junior title at just 12. His senior career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of the most difficult jumps, most notably his quad Lutz. At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, he made history by cleanly landing that jump, the first ever in Olympic competition. His path has been one of extreme highs and challenging lows, including a heartbreaking COVID-19 isolation during the 2022 Beijing Games that kept him from competing in the individual event, though he still contributed to a team gold medal. A two-time World bronze medalist, Zhou's skating combines formidable athletic power with a thoughtful, often introspective artistic style. He is also a student at Brown University, pursuing an Ivy League education alongside elite sport, embodying the modern athlete's multifaceted life.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Vincent was born in 2000, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Vincent Was Born
The biggest hits of 2000
#1 Movie
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Best Picture
Gladiator
#1 TV Show
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Vincent's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2000Born
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2005Started school
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2013Became a teenager
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Could drive
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2018Could vote
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2021Turned 21
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 26 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Executed the first successfully landed quadruple Lutz jump in Olympic history at the 2018 Winter Games.
- Won an Olympic gold medal as part of the United States figure skating team event at the 2022 Beijing Games.
- Became the 2017 World Junior Champion, solidifying his status as a leading talent in the sport.
- Earned two bronze medals at the World Figure Skating Championships (2019, 2022).
Did You Know?
He is a trained pianist and has said music is a major inspiration for his skating programs.
He took a leave of absence from Brown University to train for the 2022 Olympics.
He was the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team in PyeongChang 2018 at 17 years old.
His mother was a computer engineer in China before immigrating to the United States.
“I want to be remembered as someone who pushed the sport forward.”
