NESN and Berkshire Financial institution have fun Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month – honoring the impression, affect, and achievements of the Asian group in sports activities.
Nathan Chen is the No. 1 male determine skater on the earth, a three-time world champion and an Olympic gold medalist, and he’s not even 23 but.
Chen was born in Salt Lake Metropolis, UT to Chinese language-immigrant dad and mom and is the youngest of 5 siblings. His household impressed him to pattern numerous actions at a younger age. Chen began skating on the age of three and he performed hockey, pursued gymnastics and ballet and performed piano, which he nonetheless does in the present day.
Nonetheless, it was Michelle Kwan and Kristi Yamaguchi, Asian-American determine skating icons, who uncovered Chen to the concept of who can excel on the ice.
“Rising up in Salt Lake Metropolis, the place most of my classmates and fellow athletes had been predominately white, you don’t see that reflection of your self as simply,” Chen mentioned final October, per Andrea Thompson Peed of Yale Information. “I see myself in these athletes, and I see how succesful they’re and the way proficient they’re. If they’ll do it, hopefully I can do the identical factor, too. Having the ability to see a face like yours helps loads as an athlete.”
Chen competed in junior competitions and on the age of 16, he began competing on the nationwide championships. There he grew to become the primary American man to land two quadruple jumps in his brief program and 4 in his free skate. Chen’s means to land clear quadruple jumps has earned him the nickname of “the Quad King.”
Chen is the primary skater to have landed 5 sorts of quadruple jumps in competitors — the toe loop, Salchow, loop, flip, and Lutz. He’s additionally the one skater to have accomplished eight quadruple jumps throughout a single competitors.
On the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Chen made extra historical past as the primary Asian American man to earn an Olympic medal. 2018 was additionally the yr Chen enrolled at Yale College, the place he presently research statistics and information science.
The 2022 Winter Olympics pressured Chen to take a depart of absence. Nonetheless, after taking gold and silver in Beijing, Chen is able to come again to New Haven.
“The pizza in New Haven is top-notch, so actually take pleasure in having the ability to spend time attempting various things round,” Chen mentioned, per NBC Connecticut.
Being Asian American is an id Chen wears proudly. Even at a younger age, he impressed many along with his efficiency within the 2022 Winter Olympics.
“I hope by offering younger Asian-Individuals a face that appears like theirs, I can encourage them to try for his or her passions and targets,” Chen mentioned, per Toyota.
Whereas Chen has not dedicated to future competitions simply but, it’s clear the longer term is vibrant in determine skating as “the Quad King” will proceed to dazzle with spotlight packages in future competitions.