Zhao Hongbo

2.1. Birth and Childhood

Zhao Hongbo was born on September 22, 1973, in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. He is of Manchurian ethnicity. His early life in Harbin, a city known for its winter sports culture, laid the foundation for his future career in figure skating.

2.2. Introduction to Figure Skating and Early Partnerships

Zhao began his figure skating journey and initially skated with partner Xie Maomao. They competed together at the 1991 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, where they finished in 11th place. This early competitive experience provided Zhao with foundational exposure to international competition and the demands of pairs skating. His decision to pursue pairs skating was influenced by his coaches.

2.3. Formation of Partnership with Shen Xue

In 1992, Zhao Hongbo began his pivotal partnership with Shen Xue. They trained under the tutelage of coach Yao Bin, who would guide them throughout their illustrious career. Their collaboration quickly developed, and they began to emerge as a formidable team in the mid-1990s. This partnership, forged in the competitive environment of Chinese figure skating, would ultimately lead them to unparalleled international success and redefine the landscape of pairs skating.

3.1. International Debut and Early Olympic Medals

Shen and Zhao made their Olympic debut at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, where they finished fifth. This strong showing for a first-time Olympic appearance signaled their potential on the world stage. A year later, at the 1999 World Figure Skating Championships in Helsinki, they earned a silver medal, marking a historic milestone as the first Chinese team to ever win a World Championship medal in figure skating. They continued their ascent, securing another silver medal at the World Championships in 2000 and a bronze in 2001.

By the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, they were considered strong medal contenders. They delivered a powerful performance, earning a bronze medal despite missing a throw quadruple Salchow attempt. This achievement made them the first Chinese pair to win an Olympic medal in figure skating, further solidifying China's emerging presence in the sport. Their consistent top-tier performances continued, leading them to their second Olympic bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

3.2. World Championship Success and Grand Prix Achievements

Shen and Zhao achieved consistent dominance across various international competitions, securing multiple World Championship titles and Grand Prix victories.

At the 2002 World Figure Skating Championships in Nagano, Japan, they won their first World Championship, becoming the first Chinese pair skaters to earn a gold medal in the history of the sport. The following year, in March 2003, they successfully defended their title, winning their second World Championship in Washington D.C., United States. During this event, Shen Xue sustained an Achilles tendon injury during a practice of their throw quadruple Salchow, requiring pain treatments to allow her to compete. Despite the injury, their free program earned several perfect 6.0 scores for both technical merit and presentation.

In the 2003-2004 season, under the new ISU Judging System, they placed second at the 2003 Skate Canada but triumphed at the 2003 Cup of China. They secured their third Grand Prix Final gold medal at the 2003-2004 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, winning both the short program with 66.00 points and the free skate with 130.08 points for a total of 196.08 points. This put them 18.78 points ahead of their rivals Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin. Their bid for a third consecutive World title in 2004 was halted when Zhao fell in the short program, resulting in a fourth-place finish in that segment. Although they won the free program with a string of 6.0s, they ultimately finished second overall to Totmianina and Marinin.

The 2004-2005 season saw Shen and Zhao continue their winning streak, claiming gold medals at the 2004 Skate Canada International, the 2004 Trophée Éric Bompard, and the 2004 Cup of China. They concluded their Grand Prix season with another victory at the 2004-2005 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Beijing, China. They led the short program with 70.52 points and the free skate with 136.02 points, earning an overall total of 206.54 points. This performance set new world records for the short program, free skating, and combined total score under the ISU Judging System at the time.

The 2006-2007 season was particularly strong for the pair following their comeback. They won the 2006 Cup of China and the 2006 NHK Trophy, leading in both segments at each event. Their success continued at the 2006-2007 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where they secured the gold medal with a total of 203.19 points. They also claimed gold at the 2007 Asian Winter Games and the 2007 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, winning both segments of each competition. Their dominance culminated in their third World Championship title at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where they set a new world record in the short program with 71.07 points. They won the free skate with 132.43 points, achieving an overall score of 203.50 points, solidifying their status as one of the greatest pairs teams in history.

3.3. Injury and Rehabilitation

In 2005, Zhao Hongbo suffered a significant Achilles tendon injury, forcing the pair to withdraw from the World Championships. Weeks later, he ruptured the tendon during practice, a severe setback that led them to miss the entire competitive season of 2005-2006. Their return to the ice was only possible weeks before the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, leaving them with inadequate preparation. Despite this challenge, they placed fifth in the short program with 62.32 points and managed a third-place finish in the free skate with 124.59 points. Their resilience allowed them to secure a second Olympic bronze medal, earning 186.91 points, behind Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin, who won the gold. This period showcased their determination and ability to perform under duress.

3.4. Olympic Return and Historic Gold Medal

After their retirement following the 2007 World Championships, Shen and Zhao made a remarkable return to competition for the 2009-2010 season with the explicit goal of competing at the 2010 Winter Olympics. They were assigned to the 2009 Cup of China and 2009 Skate America in the 2009-2010 Grand Prix of Figure Skating series.

At the 2009 Cup of China, they achieved a personal best in the short program with 72.28 points and won the free skate with 128.69 points, leading to a total of 200.97 points. Their success continued at the 2009 Skate America, where they again set a new personal best in the short program with 74.36 points and won the free skate with 127.04 points, totaling 201.40 points overall. These two victories qualified them for the 2009-2010 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Tokyo, Japan, in December 2009. At the Final, they set new personal bests in both the short program (75.36 points) and the free skate (138.89 points), winning their sixth Grand Prix Final title with a total of 214.25 points. This performance also established new world records for the short program, free skating, and combined total score under the ISU Judging System.

The pinnacle of their career arrived on February 14, 2010, at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. They led the short program with a historic score of 76.66 points, setting a new world record under the ISU Judging System for the short program. On February 15, 2010, in the pairs' free skating, they scored a personal best of 139.91 points, finishing second in that segment behind their teammates Pang Qing and Tong Jian. Their program components score of 72.40 was the highest of the event, and one judge awarded them a perfect 10.00 for interpretation. With an overall total of 216.57 points, they secured the gold medal, triumphing over Pang and Tong by a margin of 3.26 points. At 31 and 36 years old, respectively, they became among the oldest Olympic champions in figure skating. This victory made them the first Chinese skaters to win an Olympic gold medal in any figure skating discipline and historically ended Russia's 46-year, twelve-Olympic gold medal streak in pairs figure skating.

Following their Olympic triumph, on February 17, 2010, Shen and Zhao announced their definite retirement from competitive skating, stating their intention to focus on their personal lives, promote their sport, and embark on a coaching career.

3.5. World Records

Shen and Zhao set multiple world records under the ISU Judging System throughout their career, demonstrating their consistent innovation and dominance.

4.1. Coaching Career

Zhao Hongbo transitioned into a coaching role, working alongside his former coach Yao Bin and Bing Han at the Harbin Skating Club. He has become a national team coach for China, playing a crucial role in developing the next generation of Chinese pairs skaters. His prominent students include:

• Wenjing Sui and Cong Han
• Peng Cheng and Zhang Hao
• Xiaoyu Yu and Yang Jin
• Gao Yumeng and Xie Zhong

Under his guidance, his students have achieved significant success. In the 2014-2015 season, his students dominated the ISU Grand Prix Series, notably sweeping the podium at the Cup of China and collectively earning medals at every event they competed in. Three of his teams also advanced to the Grand Prix Final. Zhao and Shen currently live and coach in Shenzhen, Guangdong, continuing to influence Chinese figure skating.

4.2. Ice Shows and Public Engagements

Zhao Hongbo has participated in numerous international ice shows around the world, maintaining his visibility and promoting figure skating globally. These engagements include the 2007 Golden Skate Awards in Turin, Italy, and various editions of Stars on Ice in the United States in 2008 and 2010. He also performed in the 2009 Ice All Stars show held in Seoul, South Korea, alongside other world-class skaters such as the 2010 Olympic ladies champion Yuna Kim. He later joined Kim in other "All That Skate" shows, performing alongside figures like Michelle Kwan and Stéphane Lambiel.

Beyond performances, Zhao has also engaged in endorsement deals with major brands, including Nike, Visa, General Electric, and Lenovo, further enhancing his public profile. In August 2010, Zhao and Shen Xue hosted their own ice show, "Artistry on Ice," where they also held their wedding ceremony, combining their public and private lives in a spectacular event.

5.1. Marriage with Shen Xue and Family

Zhao Hongbo and Shen Xue, partners on the ice for many years, announced their engagement after their final World Championship win in 2007. They were married shortly thereafter, celebrating their union with a widely publicized wedding ceremony during their self-hosted "Artistry on Ice" show in August 2010. Their family grew with the birth of their daughter on September 3, 2013. The couple's life together, both personally and professionally, continues to serve as an inspiration in the skating world.

5.2. On-Ice Marriage Proposal

The romantic connection between Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo had been a subject of speculation among fans and media, particularly around the time of the Salt Lake City Olympics. While Zhao often hinted at his hopes for a romantic relationship in Chinese media, Shen had consistently asserted that he was strictly a competitive partner. This dynamic changed dramatically at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo. Immediately after their free skate performance, Zhao Hongbo made a spontaneous marriage proposal to Shen Xue on the ice, in front of the cheering crowd. However, Shen Xue did not fully realize she was being proposed to at that very moment, leading to an initially humorous and unfulfilled romantic plan. Later that night, Zhao revisited his proposal after they had finished their supper and were returning to their hotel. This time, Shen Xue fully understood and happily accepted, making their engagement official and concluding a long-anticipated romantic narrative.

7.1. Programs

The table below lists the music, choreographers, and types of programs (short program, free skating, exhibition) used by Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo throughout their competitive seasons.

7.2. Competitive Highlights

(With Shen Xue)

7.3. Detailed Results