Zhou was one of five gymnasts representing China at this year’s Paris Olympics, alongside Luo Huan, Ou Yushan, Qiu Qiyuan, and Zhang Yihan. The Chinese women’s gymnastics team earned two silver medals, with Zhou securing hers on the balance beam.
A video shared by Shanghai Panda on X (formerly known as Twitter) captures Zhou working at her parents’ restaurant in Hengyang City, located in Hunan Province, central China, as reported by CGTN.
The video was accompanied by the caption, “Remember the adorable Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin? After clinching an Olympic silver medal, she has returned home to her parents for a vacation. But you can’t really call it a vacation, as she’s helping out in the family restaurant.”
The video quickly gained attention, with one user, Swati Sarangi, commenting, “It’s touching to see Zhou Yaqin balancing her Olympic triumph with family duties. Such humility!”
Another user, Vivek Naskar, added, “Working hard to support the family is a commendable task. She should take pride in it. Her Olympic achievement will forever be remembered on the internet.” A third user, El Pollito Diablo 2, remarked, “That’s amazing. She’s so down-to-earth. I see many kids helping their families in Chinese restaurants during the summer, and I admire that attitude.”
Another user, Hendarutrihanggoro, commented, “She earned a silver medal, but she’s giving gold-level service to the customers at her parent’s restaurant. She even wore her sportswear—what a clever marketing move for the restaurant!”
The video has gone viral, with people not only applauding her remarkable athletic performance but also her modest and grounded nature. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and family, even after achieving significant success.
