Watch: China’s Olympic silver medalist seen serving food at restaurant

Several top athletes across the globe made their breakthroughs on the world stage during the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024. One of these athletes is Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin, who secured a silver medal in the balance beam gymnastics event at the Summer Games. 

However, a video of the silver medalist went viral on social media where she was seen helping her parents at their family's restaurant in China's Hengyang city.

The clip has since prompted many including her supporters and fans to comment. Several people took to social media to admire and appreciate her for being grounded and true to herself, despite her fame. 

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos, videos and information shared on social media.

A user on X commented, “Hard Working girl/ I like how a lot of Chinese Gold medallists are just ordinary people with extraordinary talents. Including Pan Zhen Le. Humility and humbleness.”

Meanwhile, others appreciated her for the family values she holds, and few also wished for her success in the future. 

Who is Zhou Yaqin?

Zhou, 18, boasts a remarkable medal tally in her career as a gymnast. She started practising gymnastics when she was only three years old, and holds a speciality in the balance beam category. 

At the Paris Olympics 2024, she qualified ahead of prominent American gymnast Simone Biles and won silver with a total score of 14.100, close to the score of gold medalist Italian gymnast Alice D’Amato’s 14.366. 

In 2020, she won an individual gold in the Chinese championships in the balance beam category. She has also won gold medals in the National Games of China and the World Championships. 

At the end of the Paris Olympics 2024, China stood second in the medal tally followed by the United States. China earned 91 medals including 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze. 

(With inputs from agencies)