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Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin, who captured worldwide attention with her “medal biter” moment after appearing on the podium at the Olympic Games, has once again become famous online – this time as a waitress in her family’s restaurant in Hunan province.
A video released by CGTN showing the 18-year-old in her Olympic uniform serving food at the restaurant caught the attention of social media users, with some calling her “humble” and others describing her as “innocent.”
According to a social media post, Zhou was visiting her family in Hengyang and helping out at their restaurant.
The video has been viewed nearly three million times and received over 20,000 likes since its release on August 13.
One user wrote on X: “It’s touching to see Zhou Yaqin balancing her Olympic victory with her family responsibilities. So much humility!”
Some called it a marketing move. One commenter wrote: “She won a silver medal but provides gold-level service to customers at her parents’ restaurant. She even wore her gym clothes – what a clever marketing move for the restaurant!”
The video was reportedly first shared by a user named Shanghai Panda with the caption: “Remember cute Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin? After winning the Olympic silver medal, she returned to her parents’ house for a vacation. Of course, you can’t call it a vacation. Because she has to help out at her parents’ restaurant.”
One X user noted, “Working hard and providing for your family is a noble task. She should be proud. Her medal moment is immortalized in the world of the internet.”
Another said: “Your family and community must be proud.”
However, some users said there was “something wrong” with the video, without elaborating.
After winning a silver medal in the women’s gymnasts’ balance beam competition on August 5, Zhou made headlines for her adorable reaction to the cameras filming the moment 21-year-old Alice D’Amato and 17-year-old Manila Esposito took the obligatory bites of their new medals.
Zhou seemed surprised by the tradition, and cameras caught her eyes widening in shock. She then attempted the tradition without actually biting the medal.
At X, people admired Zhou’s “golden retriever” and “little sister” energy.
“Just shove it in her mouth!” wrote one user. “I love it.”
