Liang Chow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Liang Chow |
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Chow with athlete Norah Flatley at the 2014 City of Jesolo Trophy
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| Personal information | |
| Alternative name(s) | Qiao Liang |
| Country represented |  China (as head coach of the national female team) |
| Former countries represented | China (as gymnast) |
| Born | January 1, 1968 Beijing, China |
| Hometown | Beijing |
| Residence | West Des Moines, Iowa, United States Beijing, China |
| Discipline | Men's artistic gymnastics |
Liang Chow (born January 1, 1968) is a famous Chinese-American former artistic gymnast. He is best known as a gymnastics coach. He started and owns Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, Iowa. Liang Chow has coached many top gymnasts. These include Olympic champions Shawn Johnson (2008) and Gabby Douglas (2012). He also coached US gymnasts Norah Flatley and Rachel Gowey.
Contents
Liang Chow's Journey
Early Life and Gymnastics Career
Liang Chow grew up in Beijing, China. He started training in gymnastics at age 5. A local club chose him to join their program. He became part of China's national gymnastics team. He was on the team for over ten years. During this time, he won many medals in China and around the world.
However, Liang Chow never competed in the Olympic Games. In 1988, he was too young to join the Chinese Olympic team. Before the 1992 Olympics, he got a back injury. This injury made him retire from competing as a gymnast.
Moving to the United States
In 1991, Liang Chow moved to the United States. His aunt, who was studying at the University of Iowa, suggested it. He received a scholarship to study English. He also became an assistant coach for the men's gymnastics team at the University of Iowa.
Later, he coached the women's gymnastics team. This experience helped him decide to open his own gym. He wanted to train young gymnasts. He knew that younger gymnasts are more flexible. They are also more open to learning new skills.
Opening His Own Gym
Liang Chow and his wife moved to West Des Moines, Iowa. They opened Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute on August 23, 1998. His gym grew very quickly. By 2003, it had expanded to a large facility with two gyms.
In June 2008, a big flood hit Iowa. The flood sadly destroyed his gym facilities. But Liang Chow worked hard to rebuild.
Coaching Olympic Champions
Liang Chow is famous for coaching Olympic gymnasts. He started coaching Shawn Johnson in 1998. Shawn won a gold medal on the balance beam at the 2008 Olympics. She also won three silver medals.
He began working with Gabby Douglas in 2010. Gabby won two gold medals at the 2012 Olympics. She won gold in the individual all-around and with the US team. Liang Chow is known for caring for his gymnasts like a father. In June 2018, he became the head coach of the Chinese women's national gymnastics team.
Personal Life
Liang Chow is married to Liwen Zhuang. She was also a gymnast on the Chinese national team. They have one child together, a son named Kevin.
