Nathan Chen facts for kids

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Nathan Chen

Chen at 2018 Internationaux de France
Personal information
Birth name	Nathan Wei Chen
Born	(1999-05-05) May 5, 1999 (age 26) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Education	Yale University (BA)
Occupation	Figure skater Author
Height	5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
Article series
Career achievements (Awards Competition results) List of programs
Nathan Chen Personal information Country represented  United States Coach Rafael Arutyunyan Skating club Salt Lake Figure Skating Began skating 2003

Nathan Wei Chen (born May 5, 1999) is an American figure skater. He is famous for his amazing jumps and artistic performances on the ice. Nathan is the 2022 Olympic champion in men's singles. He also won a gold medal with the U.S. team at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Nathan has won the World Championship three times (in 2018, 2019, and 2021). He is also a six-time U.S. national champion, winning every year from 2017 to 2022. People often call him the "Quad King" because he is so good at landing difficult quadruple jumps. He was the first skater to successfully land all five types of quadruple jumps in competitions.

Nathan Chen has set many records in figure skating. He holds the world record for the highest scores in the short program and combined total score. He is also the first Asian American man to win U.S., World, and Olympic titles in single skating. After his Olympic win, he was named Most Valuable Skater at the ISU Skating Awards in 2023. He has also been recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Nathan has written two books: his memoir One Jump at a Time: My Story and a children's book called Wei Skates On.

Early Life and Family

Nathan Wei Chen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents moved to the United States from China. His father, Zhidong Chen, is a research scientist, and his mother, Hetty Wang, is from Beijing. Nathan has four older brothers and sisters. His mother played a big role in his skating career. She helped pay for his training and competitions by working as a medical translator and cleaning houses.

Nathan was a very active child. He wanted to be a hockey goalie like his older brothers. But his mother gave him figure skates instead. To help him become a better skater, Nathan also took gymnastics and ballet classes. He trained with Ballet West Academy for over six years. He even won first place in gymnastics at a state competition in Utah in 2008. Nathan also learned to play the piano and guitar. His family loves chess, and his siblings competed in tournaments.

Competitive Skating Career

Starting Out in Skating

Nathan Chen started skating when he was just three years old. He took a beginner's class at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex. This was the same place where skaters practiced for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He entered his first figure skating competition in 2003.

When he was seven, Nathan began competing at higher levels. He won a bronze medal in 2008 and a silver medal in 2009 at the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships. In 2010, at age 10, he became the youngest U.S. novice men's champion. He won this title again in 2011. In 2012, he won his first national junior men's title. He also won his first international event in Italy.

Nathan started working with coach Karel Kovar. Kovar taught him a special way to hold his arms during jumps. Later, Nathan began taking lessons from Evgenia Chernyshyova. When he was 10, he started working with jump specialist Rafael Arutyunyan. Nathan and his mother often drove from Salt Lake City to California for these lessons. Sometimes, they even slept in their car to save money. When Nathan was 11, he and his mother moved to Southern California so he could train more easily with Arutyunyan.

Junior Success

Nathan started competing in the ISU Junior Grand Prix series in 2012. He won his first event in Austria. He later won gold medals in Mexico and Belarus in 2013. He earned a bronze medal at the 2013 Junior Grand Prix Final. In 2014, he won his second U.S. junior title. He also won a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships.

Chen at the junior men's medal ceremony at the 2014 U.S. Championships

Nathan had some injuries in 2014 and 2015. Despite this, he still competed and placed well. In the 2015–2016 season, he won the Junior Grand Prix Final. At the 2016 U.S. Championships, Nathan made history. He was the first U.S. man to land two quadruple jumps in a short program. He was also the first to land four quadruple jumps in a free skate. He finished third overall. After the competition, he hurt his hip during an exhibition skate and needed surgery. He spent months recovering and training to get back on the ice.

Senior Career Highlights

First Senior Wins (2016–2017)

Nathan Chen made his senior international debut in 2016. He won a gold medal at the Finlandia Trophy. At his first senior Grand Prix event, he showed off his amazing quadruple jumps. He broke a U.S. record for the short program score. Nathan then won a silver medal at the NHK Trophy. At the 2016–2017 Grand Prix Final, he won the free skate with four quadruple jumps. He finished second overall, becoming one of the youngest men to win a medal at this event.

Chen at the 2016 Grand Prix Final

In 2017, Nathan won his first senior U.S. title. He landed five clean quadruple jumps in his free skate, setting new record scores. A few weeks later, he won the Four Continents Championships. He was the youngest men's champion in that event's history. At the 2017 World Championships, Nathan finished sixth. His performance helped the U.S. team send three men to the next Winter Olympics.

Olympic Debut and First World Title (2017–2018)

In the 2017–2018 Olympic season, Nathan debuted new programs. He landed his first quadruple loop jump, becoming the first skater to land five different types of quads in competition. He won two Grand Prix titles, beating Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu at one event. Nathan then won his second Grand Prix Final title. At the 2018 U.S. Championships, he landed seven clean quadruple jumps. This helped him win his second U.S. national title. He was then chosen for the U.S. Olympic Team.

Chen (center) with Shoma Uno (left) and Mikhail Kolyada (right) at the 2018 Worlds medal ceremony

At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Nathan had a tough start. He struggled in the team event and the individual short program. However, he made an incredible comeback in the free skate. He landed six quadruple jumps, a new record, and finished first in that segment. He ended up fifth overall in the individual event. The U.S. team won a bronze medal in the team event. A month later, Nathan won his first world title at the 2018 World Championships. He landed eight quadruple jumps in total, becoming the first U.S. man to win Worlds since 2009.

More World Titles and Records (2018–2021)

Nathan started college at Yale University in 2018. He continued to compete while studying. He won 2018 Skate America and the 2018 Internationaux de France. At the 2018–19 Grand Prix Final, he won his second consecutive title. In 2019, he won his third U.S. national title, setting new record scores.

Chen during his free skate at the 2018 Internationaux de France

At the 2019 World Championships, Nathan defended his world title. He broke world records for the free skate and total score. He became the first U.S. man to win back-to-back world titles since Scott Hamilton in the 1980s. In the 2019–2020 season, Nathan continued his winning streak. He won 2019 Skate America for the third time in a row. He also won the 2019 Internationaux de France again.

Chen (center) with Yuzuru Hanyu (left) and Kévin Aymoz (right) at the 2019–20 Grand Prix Final podium

At the 2019–20 Grand Prix Final, Nathan set new world records for the free skate and combined total score. He won his third Grand Prix Final title. He then won his fourth U.S. national title in 2020. The World Championships that year were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2020–2021 season, Nathan took a break from school to focus on skating. He won his fifth U.S. national title in 2021. He also won his third consecutive world title at the 2021 World Championships.

Olympic Gold Medal (2021–2022)

Nathan started the 2021–2022 Olympic season at 2021 Skate America. He finished third, ending his long winning streak. However, he quickly recovered and won 2021 Skate Canada International a week later. At the 2022 U.S. Championships, Nathan won his sixth consecutive U.S. title. This was a huge achievement, as only Dick Button had done this 70 years earlier.

A month later, Nathan competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He skated a perfect short program in the team event, helping the U.S. team earn points. The U.S. team was later awarded the gold medal for this event in August 2024. Two days after the team event, Nathan set a new world record in the men's short program. He then won an Olympic gold medal in the men's singles event with an amazing free skate that included five quadruple jumps. His costume for the free skate, designed by Vera Wang, is now in the National Museum of American History. After the Olympics, Nathan took a break from competing due to an injury.

Break from Competition (2022–2025)

Nathan Chen stepped away from competitive skating at the end of the 2021–2022 season. He wanted to focus on finishing his college degree. In August 2024, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Nathan and his teammates from the 2022 Olympic Figure Skating Team Event received their Olympic gold medals.

Show Skating and Coaching

Nathan Chen has been performing in ice shows since he was very young. At age five, he appeared in televised shows like "Holiday On Ice: Las Vegas Style." He has performed in shows around the world, including China, Thailand, and Malaysia. He is a regular performer in popular ice shows like Stars On Ice and THE ICE.

Nathan has also started coaching young skaters. In August 2023, he coached at a summer camp in Spain. He also teaches at seminars to help other skaters improve their skills. He co-founded an organization called "Your True Step" to support other skaters.

Skating Technique and Style

Nathan Chen is praised for his amazing technical skills and how he has changed figure skating. Many experts say he combines incredible athleticism with beautiful artistic performances. He is known for his smooth movements and how he connects with the music.

Nathan's coaches taught him a special technique for his jumps. He pulls his arms tightly across his body, which helps him rotate very quickly in the air. This "seat belt" position is now seen as a perfect example of how to jump in figure skating.

Public Life and Partnerships

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Nathan Chen has worked with many well-known companies. These include Bridgestone, Panasonic, Comcast, Nike, Toyota, Visa, OMEGA, Coca-Cola, United Airlines, and Kellogg's. He has appeared on Kellogg's cornflakes boxes and in ads for Nike and Coca-Cola. He even inspired a United Airlines Olympic athlete action figure.

Nathan has also starred in commercials for the movie Jurassic World: Dominion. He is a brand ambassador for Panasonic and helps with their "Green Impact" initiative, which focuses on sustainability. He has also worked with David Yurman jewelry and the Apple podcast Time to Walk.

Ambassadorships

In 2021, Nathan was named to the Athlete Advisory Committee for Salt Lake City's bid to host the Winter Olympics again. Salt Lake City hosted the Olympics in 2002. In July 2024, Salt Lake City was chosen to host the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. In February 2025, Nathan was selected to be on the steering committee for these games.

Nathan was also a Goodwill Ambassador for the 2023 Winter World University Games. He helped promote Panasonic's "Green Impact" campaign at a conference about climate change held during the games.

Books and Magazines

Nathan Chen's memoir, One Jump at a Time: My Story, was released in November 2022. In the book, he shares his journey in figure skating. He talks about his childhood, his family's support, his hip injury, and his experiences at the 2018 Olympics.

In February 2023, Nathan released his first children's book, Wei Skates On. This picture book is about a young boy named Wei who learns to face his fears. It was named one of the Best Children's Books of the Year. In August 2023, the children's book Who Is Nathan Chen? was released as part of the popular Who Was? series.

Nathan has also appeared in many fashion and news magazines, including Vogue, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, and Time.

Film and Television

Nathan Chen has appeared in several TV shows and a music video. In 2021, he starred in three episodes of the show From the Top: Olympians and Rockstars. This show paired Olympic athletes with music stars. Nathan also appeared in the music video for Elton John and Britney Spears' song "Hold Me Closer".

In 2022, Nathan was a guest on the TV dance show Dancing With Myself. He also appeared on Secret Celebrity Renovation, where he helped renovate the Salt Lake City Sports Complex, the rink where he first learned to skate. Nathan and his siblings also competed on the game show Celebrity Family Feud against actor Simu Liu's team. He has also been a guest on popular talk shows like Today and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Helping Others

Nathan Chen regularly supports charities. Since 2017, he has worked with Figure Skating in Harlem. This group helps girls of color build confidence and achieve academic success. He has also worked with StandUp for Kids, an organization that helps young people experiencing homelessness.

Nathan is an investor in Gold House, a group that supports Asian and Pacific Islander communities. He has spoken out against violence towards Asian Americans. In 2022, he partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to promote COVID-19 vaccines. In 2023, he joined the Elton John AIDS Foundation's campaign to fight against LGBTQIA+ stigma. In January 2024, he joined the Athlete Leadership Council for Athletes for Hope, a non-profit that helps athletes make a difference in their communities.

Awards and Impact

Nathan Chen has received many awards for his achievements. In 2023, he was nominated for a Laureus World Sports Award. He was also named Most Valuable Skater at the ISU Skating Awards. He has been recognized on important lists like Time magazine's Time100, which names the 100 most influential people in the world.

The Committee of 100, a group of Chinese Americans, gave Nathan their Trailblazer Award in 2022. He is also a Gold House A100 Honoree. In January 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden recognized Nathan during a speech at the White House.

Nathan's gold medal win at the 2022 Winter Olympics greatly increased his public recognition. He became much more well-known and liked by people across the U.S.

Personal Life and Education

Nathan Chen attended elementary and high school in Salt Lake City and California. He graduated from California Connections Academy. In 2018, he was accepted into Yale University. He took a break from Yale to prepare for the 2022 Winter Olympics. He returned to Yale in late 2022 and graduated in May 2024 with a degree in statistics and data science. While at Yale, he worked in a research lab and received an award for his genomics and heart research projects.

Nathan is currently studying at Goucher College in a program that prepares him for medical school. He is also an Ambassador for Public Outreach for the American Junior Investigators Association.

Records and Achievements

Nathan Chen has an impressive winning record in modern figure skating, winning 73% of his competitions. From 2009 to 2022, he won the U.S. Championship ten times. This includes two novice titles, two junior titles, and six senior titles in a row.

Nathan holds seven world record scores in the current judging system. These include one in the short program, three in the free skate, and three in the combined total score. These highest scores are recognized as world records by Guinness World Records.

Programs

Competition and Exhibition Programs

Chen performing his Michael Jackson-medley at the 2015–16 JGP Final

Competition and exhibition programs by season 

Season	Short program	Free skate program	Exhibition program
2009–10	Kung Fu Panda Composed by Hans Zimmer Choreo. by Stephanie Grosscup	Peter and the Wolf Composed by Sergei Prokofiev Choreo. by Evgenia Chernyshova	Peter and the Wolf
2010–11	"Rawhide" Composed by Dimitri Tiomkin Choreo. by Evgenia Chernyshova	Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 Composed by Franz Liszt Choreo. by Evgenia Chernyshova	"Rawhide"
2011–12	WALL-E Composed by Thomas Newman Choreo. by Stephanie Grosscup	The Godfather Composed by Nino Rota Choreo. by Evgenia Chernyshova	"Stereo Hearts" Performed by Gym Class Heroes Choreo. by Evgenia Chernyshova
2012–13	Praeludium and Allegro Composed by Fritz Kreisler Choreo. by Nadia Kanaeva, Rafael Arutyunyan	The Three Musketeers Composed by Paul Haslinger Choreo. by Stephanee Grosscup	N/A
2013–14	The Four Seasons Composed by Antonio Vivaldi Choreo. by Nadia Kanaeva	Medley: "Chattanooga Choo Choo" Composed by Glenn Miller "Summertime" Composed by George Gershwin Choreo. by Nadia Kanaeva	"Home" Performed by Phillip Phillips Choreo. by Phillip Mills
2014–15	Michael Jackson Medley Performed by Michael Jackson Choreo. by Nadia Kanaeva 'Tracks used' "Smile" "Smooth Criminal"	Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor Composed by Frédéric Chopin Choreo. by Nadia Kanaeva	"Best Day of My Life" Performed by American Authors Choreo. by Adam Rippon
2015–16	Michael Jackson Medley	Organ Symphony Composed by Camille Saint-Saëns Choreo. by Nikolai Morozov	"Dream On" Performed by Aerosmith
2016–17	Le Corsaire Composed by Adolphe Adam Choreo. by Marina Zueva	Polovtsian Dances From Prince Igor Composed by Alexander Borodin Choreo. by Nadia Kanaeva	"Parachute" Performed by Otto Knows Choreo. by Benoît Richaud
			"Stole the Show" Performed by Kygo ft. Parson James
2017–18	"Nemesis" Composed by Benjamin Clementine Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne	Mao's Last Dancer Mao's Last Dancer Composed by Christopher Gordon The Rite of Spring Composed by Igor Stravinsky Choreo. by Lori Nichol	"Parachute"
			"Nemesis"
			"Back from the Edge" Performed by James Arthur
			"No Good" Performed by Kaleo Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
2018–19	"Caravan" Moliendo Café "Caravan" Performed by Fanfare Ciocărlia Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne	"Land of All" Composed by Woodkid Choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil, Samuel Chouinard	"Next to Me" Performed by Otto Knows
			"Nemesis"
			"No Good"
2019–20	"La Bohème" Performed by Charles Aznavour Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne	Rocket Man Composed by Elton John, Bernie Taupin Choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil, Samuel Chouinard 'Tracks used' "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" "Rocket Man" "Bennie and the Jets"	"Next to Me"
2020–21	Desperado "Asturias (Suite Española)" Composed by Frida Lopez "Canción del Mariachi" Performed by Antonio Banderas, Los Lobos Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne	Philip Glass medley Composed by Philip Glass Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne 'Tracks used' "Metamorphosis II" Violin Concerto No. 1 Truman Sleeps	Rocket Man
2021–22	"Eternity" "Eternity" "Nemesis" Performed by Benjamin Clementine Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne	Mozart Medley Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne 'Tracks used' Piano Concerto No. 23 Lacrymosa "Lacrymosa (Apashe remix")	"The Nights" Performed by Avicii
	"La Bohème"	Rocket Man Choreo. by Massimo Scali (Add’l. choreography)	"Caravan"
			"Space Song" Performed by Beach House Choreo. by Massimo Scali
			Rocket Man

Chen at the 2018 Internationaux de France gala

Programs After the 2022 Winter Olympics

Competitive Highlights

Chen at the 2019 Internationaux de France

Filmography

Television

Music Video

See also

In Spanish: Nathan Chen para niños