Vincent Zhou
- Thread starter satine
- Start date
Congratulations to Vincent for winning the bronze at his first 4CC competition!!!!! :clapper: To share the podium with Shoma & Boyang is no small feat! :2thumbs:
So proud of his accomplishment, especially in the clean SP! I know Vincent will train really hard for Worlds and continue to improve & progress!
Go Vincent!
So proud of his accomplishment, especially in the clean SP! I know Vincent will train really hard for Worlds and continue to improve & progress!
Go Vincent!
Men’s free skate press conference from Jackie's tweet:
Zhou: I'm very proud of my performance. I hope to improve the consistency of the good quality elements that I was doing. I thought I showed more of that in this competition. I'm not satisfied with my performance but I'm also proud of what I did.
Zhou: The change from 4:30 to 4:00 leaves less time for choreography and pure skating; sometimes, I feel rushed from element to element. With the old FS length, there was more time to get into the music and to skate it out.
Zhou: I'm very proud of my performance. I hope to improve the consistency of the good quality elements that I was doing. I thought I showed more of that in this competition. I'm not satisfied with my performance but I'm also proud of what I did.
Zhou: The change from 4:30 to 4:00 leaves less time for choreography and pure skating; sometimes, I feel rushed from element to element. With the old FS length, there was more time to get into the music and to skate it out.
Back from the Honda Center. Happy to see Vincent skate and get a medal in person:luv17:, especially since I love his CTHD program. He looked really sharp in warm up, but I was a little worried when he took the ice and did two singles that looked a little wonky and went over to talk to his coaches about it. He fought through the program meticulously and landed everything though not perfectly. Poor kid looked exhausted at the end, the final combo spin traveled quite a bit, and judging by the expression on his face when he finished, I think he knew that his BV was probably going to take a hit. He isn’t as effortless across the ice as someone like Shoma and is obviously concentrating really hard on his jumps, but despite that he’s still quite good at emoting towards the audience.
After the medal ceremony, The medalists got their flags from fans, and Boyang and Vincent both accidentally held theirs backwards for the photographers. Boyang figured it out first and then Vincent took a little while longer to realize and fix it. Lucky Shoma doesn’t have this problem with his symmetrical flag.
Vincent and Boyang both stayed later to sign some autographs after returning the flags to the fans as well, it was cute.
After the medal ceremony, The medalists got their flags from fans, and Boyang and Vincent both accidentally held theirs backwards for the photographers. Boyang figured it out first and then Vincent took a little while longer to realize and fix it. Lucky Shoma doesn’t have this problem with his symmetrical flag.
Vincent and Boyang both stayed later to sign some autographs after returning the flags to the fans as well, it was cute.
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2006
Thanks for the info! Vincent did well and I was happy to see how he fought to improve his jump landings. What an awesome competition. You guys are lucky to have seen him live!
Thanks for that wonderful review, lyrichord. That must have been really exciting to see the competition live. It was hard to watch NBC Sports Gold livestream because of static sounds throughout & some lagging every now & then.
From Fanzone:
In his Four Continents debut, Vincent Zhou took the bronze medal for the men's competition after posting a free skate score of 172.04 points to boost his overall score to 272.22.
"I'm very proud of myself for continuing the upward trend I've put myself on," Zhou said. "The audience was absolutely incredible and they helped me feel good about how I skated."
A very nice review from Ice Desk's Nick McCarvel:
Day 3 at the Desk: Five Things from Four Continents
1. Vincent's Valiant Effort
No matter if you saw 18-year-old Zhou's first-place finish in the short program a blessing or a course [sic] (should be curse) the way that he comported himself in the free skate was abundantly admirable. Not only did he skate after teammate Brown, he did so in the midst of a final men's group that included knockout free skates from eventual champ Shoma Uno, Canada's Keegan Messing and – finally – Brown.
While called for three underrotations, Zhou was steely, aggressive, fluid and simply classy. He would slip from first to third, but in the process. he would win his first Four Continents medal, scoring just over a point behind Boyang Jin at 272.22.
What's more impressive? Zhou revealing after the free that he had been dealing with a knee injury and that he had to switch to his backup skates in order to compete over the weekend. "Resilience is a cornerstone to success in anything," Zhou wrote on his Instagram post after the free skate.
Honestly? No truer words have been uttered.
From Fanzone:
In his Four Continents debut, Vincent Zhou took the bronze medal for the men's competition after posting a free skate score of 172.04 points to boost his overall score to 272.22.
"I'm very proud of myself for continuing the upward trend I've put myself on," Zhou said. "The audience was absolutely incredible and they helped me feel good about how I skated."
A very nice review from Ice Desk's Nick McCarvel:
Day 3 at the Desk: Five Things from Four Continents
1. Vincent's Valiant Effort
No matter if you saw 18-year-old Zhou's first-place finish in the short program a blessing or a course [sic] (should be curse) the way that he comported himself in the free skate was abundantly admirable. Not only did he skate after teammate Brown, he did so in the midst of a final men's group that included knockout free skates from eventual champ Shoma Uno, Canada's Keegan Messing and – finally – Brown.
While called for three underrotations, Zhou was steely, aggressive, fluid and simply classy. He would slip from first to third, but in the process. he would win his first Four Continents medal, scoring just over a point behind Boyang Jin at 272.22.
What's more impressive? Zhou revealing after the free that he had been dealing with a knee injury and that he had to switch to his backup skates in order to compete over the weekend. "Resilience is a cornerstone to success in anything," Zhou wrote on his Instagram post after the free skate.
Honestly? No truer words have been uttered.
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2006
I came across this documentary about Vincent Zhou today, while looking for 4 Continents videos to watch on the treadmill at my gym. Apologies if it has been posted already. It's produced in China, maybe from 1.5 years ago and focuses a lot on his parents' perspectives. I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but it's interesting, and kind of funny how they show his dad shaving, cooking dumplings at the kitchen sink, driving in CA, etc. I guess the producers wanted to show them as a simple family that didn't have a wealthy, flashy life, but they have an extraordinarily gifted child.
https://youtu.be/E3Jgt-fht4g
https://youtu.be/E3Jgt-fht4g
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2014
Congratulations to Vincent on his bronze medal. I was there for both programs, and the whole final flight was so enjoyable. I always think it's difficult to skate after Jason, but Vincent seemed to handle it very well. Now if he can just keep working on those jump landings and honing and polishing for Worlds, hopefully he'll be ready. Really like his FS costume.
Hi Arriba,
Thanks for writing! Glad you had a chance to see 4CC in person! It must have been really emotional to see Shoma come back and win in such a glorious fashion. I was in a wreck during the FS livestream, and so happy & elated Vincent was able to finally get on the podium. Thank goodness he already had the Nationals to prepare him for the nerves, skating after Jason and Nathan there. But you can tell how exhausted he was after the FS. He also gave all of himself like Shoma did.
Mathieu Caron designed both Shoma & Vincent's FS costume and he congratulated both on his IGS. I really like the red crystals, which sparkled like a mini Christmas tree in some of the medal ceremony shots.
Even though Shoma's outfit is not pure blue (dark teal), it still gave me the Red, White & Blue feel with these pics from ISU & Getty Images podium & flag pics.
I love these photos of Vincent holding hands with the champs, Rika & Shoma. They looked like they were having so much fun.
Finally saw the men victory ceremony video. Now I know why Vincent was smiling while Shoma was bending down here. Even Boyang laughed when he realized that Shoma Bean was climbing up on the podium. That was really cute.
In these pics where the winners received their Citizens watches, Boyang didn't look too thrilled. He probably has a dozen Made In China replica watches back home
. But they sure beat the knit mittens from Finlandia Trophy. I love the pic where they are all doing the Kung Fu salute (palm over fist), which Vincent does at the end of his FS when he bows to the audience.
In the last pic here, where they are all posing with their medals, Vincent is leaning & bending his head slightly towards Shoma, as if to adjust his height to match Shoma's, while Boyang is standing/posing straight. I think it is very endearing.
Hope they all get a chance to rest up before Worlds. It will be really great for Vincent because he loves Japan and really thrives off the support of his Japanese fans. Here is a video message he recorded just for his Japanese fans.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2014
The final flight of men was REALLY exciting. It struck me how much variety there was in their programs and styles. I feel that in all these photos I can see a gentle quality in Vincent that is very appealing. Also, I see the similarity in the costumes of Vincent and Shoma. LOL on the Citizen watches! I don't know how they can all keep a straight face when they get their 20th Citizen watch! Thank goodness for them as a sponsor though. They need all the event sponsors they can get.
Worlds in Japan should be really exciting. If I'm remembering the dates right, it's just in a little over a month. I already know I'll have terrible jet lag with trying to watch things at 2 and 3 in the morning my time!...Best of luck to Vincent.
Worlds in Japan should be really exciting. If I'm remembering the dates right, it's just in a little over a month. I already know I'll have terrible jet lag with trying to watch things at 2 and 3 in the morning my time!...Best of luck to Vincent.
Or maybe he just doesnt like it. I assure you he can most likely afford the real thing if he wanted to and not buy some fake cheap replica.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Congratulations to Vincent. Lots of luck to him at Worlds. 
Wow, I gotta say that this is a huge YMMV.
I think the fan-made, from-the-heart, non-cookie-cutter, hand-knit mittens are the BEST gift ever. If I were a skater, they would be a reason to look forward to Finlandia every year. (IIRC, all skaters -- not just medalists -- receive a lovely pair.)
Nothing wrong with Citizen watches. But for me, the mittens would be a far more meaningful and cherished keepsake.
Wow, I gotta say that this is a huge YMMV.
I think the fan-made, from-the-heart, non-cookie-cutter, hand-knit mittens are the BEST gift ever. If I were a skater, they would be a reason to look forward to Finlandia every year. (IIRC, all skaters -- not just medalists -- receive a lovely pair.)
Nothing wrong with Citizen watches. But for me, the mittens would be a far more meaningful and cherished keepsake.
^^^icybear, the Citizens watch bit was written in jest to explain why Boyang didn't have a smile on his face, in other words, not to be taken seriously. I am sure he can afford real watches. 
Speaking of Boyang, Vincent had a lot of fun with him in these photos :
Pic 1 - Left pic, having way too much fun during practice
Pic 2 - looks like they were stomping on the ice
If only these moments were captured on video.
Vincent also had a bit of fun with Junhwan, messing each other's hairs in these pics. He wants to know Jun's secret to such nice hair.
Speaking of Boyang, Vincent had a lot of fun with him in these photos :
Pic 1 - Left pic, having way too much fun during practice
Pic 2 - looks like they were stomping on the ice
If only these moments were captured on video.
Vincent also had a bit of fun with Junhwan, messing each other's hairs in these pics. He wants to know Jun's secret to such nice hair.
Congratulations to Vincent. Lots of luck to him at Worlds.
Wow, I gotta say that this is a huge YMMV.
I think the fan-made, from-the-heart, non-cookie-cutter, hand-knit mittens are the BEST gift ever. If I were a skater, they would be a reason to look forward to Finlandia every year. (IIRC, all skaters -- not just medalists -- receive a lovely pair.)
Nothing wrong with Citizen watches. But for me, the mittens would be a far more meaningful and cherished keepsake.
If you see my previous post in response to icybear, that bit about Citizen watches was written in jest. There are photos of Boyang (with Vincent) from 2017 Finlandia Trophy where he playfully placed a mitten over his face as a mask, so I'm sure he enjoyed the mittens. Definitely more unique & special than watches.
Canon has a post 4CC interview with Vincent in Japanese. You can kind of get the gist with google translate.
https://global.canon/ja/event/skating/interview/2018_2019/vincent.html
https://global.canon/ja/event/skating/interview/2018_2019/vincent.html
Thank you for the link, sheetz! :thumbsup: I didn't post it because the translation came out sort of awkward. Also, the Japanese fans were complaining that Vincent's last name translates to "elephant" in Japanese.
I told one of them Vincent is used to having his surname butchered, so it won't bother him. Still, it was a good interview, especially the question about Coach Hamada. But there was an error in the answer to this question, since NHK was omitted. Have you been to Japan many times? It was the first time for the Junior GP Series Yokohama Tournament, the last time for the lesson of Hamada coach last year was the second time. So, this time the World Championship will be the third time.
Here is another article from TeamUSA:
Vincent Zhou Reaches Podium With Season-High Score At Four Continents Figure Skating Championships
Zhou said that while he wasn’t satisfied with his performance, he was proud of the way he skated his “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” program and of the improvements he’s made since winning the silver medal at nationals.
“It’s obviously a great feeling making the podium at a major international and that was kind of the goal coming in here,” said Zhou, who scored a season-best 172.04 in the free skate.
He knows he's a “marked man” when it comes to the judging. Zhou has developed a reputation for under-rotation, and the judges scrutinize his jumps to the “nth” degree, something they don’t do for every skater. They often flag Zhou's jumps for further review.
While he had no issues with any of his jumps in the short program, in the free skate he was marked down on three of his jumps, including two of his three quadruples.
“I’ve pretty much accepted that they’re going to do that to me now,” Zhou said. He’s put a positive spin on that, too. “What I do is think about, ‘Now I have to prove to myself and prove to them.’ I need to make it clear to them there’s no question.”
“The more I show myself to be consistent, I guess the less unsure scrutiny I’ll get,” Zhou said. “But that’ll take a lot of hard work on my side and not just blaming others for giving me bad calls. It’s like I have to think about, ‘What can I do better?’ And that’s something I’ve been doing a lot of in this latter half of the season.”
Cute medal ceremony pictures where Vincent finally figured out he had the flag backwards, with Boyang & Shoma laughing.
Thanks, livestoskate. We've discussed the video last year and one of the things that Vincent said (per mom) really struck me: "I have a burning desire to do well." That's when I realized Vincent has the passion, drive & fight to be the best. Wishing him the best at Worlds!
Vincent just posted on IG that he has a new exhibition program choreographed by Josh Farris:
@joshdfarris thank you so much for another amazing exhibition program!!
Music: Joji - Slow Dancing in the Dark
:dance:
@joshdfarris thank you so much for another amazing exhibition program!!
Music: Joji - Slow Dancing in the Dark
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