If you are a fan of figure skating, you might have heard of Karen Chen and Nathan Chen, two of the most talented and successful American skaters in recent years. Both of them have competed at the Winter Olympics, won national and international medals, and dazzled audiences with their amazing skills and artistry on ice. But are they related? Do they share a common ancestry or a family bond? The answer might surprise you.
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No, They Are Not Siblings or Cousins
Despite having the same last name and being of Asian descent, Karen Chen and Nathan Chen are not siblings or cousins. They are not even distant relatives. They just happen to have a fairly common surname that is shared by many people of Chinese origin.
According to Heavy.com, Nathan Chen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to parents who immigrated from China. He has four older siblings: two brothers and two sisters. He grew up in Utah and graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City. He is currently a student at Yale University, where he balances his academic studies with his skating career.
Karen Chen, on the other hand, was born in Fremont, California, to parents who immigrated from Taiwan. She has a younger brother, Jeffrey, who is also a figure skater. She grew up in California and was homeschooled via Connections Academy. She is currently a student at Cornell University, where she majors in Human Biology, Health, and Society on a pre-med track.
They Have Different Skating Styles and Achievements
Karen Chen and Nathan Chen are both accomplished skaters who have represented the United States at the highest level of competition. However, they have different skating styles and achievements that reflect their individual strengths and personalities.
Nathan Chen is known as the “Quad King” for his mastery of quadruple jumps, which are four revolutions in the air. He is the first skater in history to land five different types of quads in one program. He is also recognized for his musicality, expression, and versatility. He is the 2022 Olympic champion, a three-time World champion (2018, 2019, 2021), a three-time Grand Prix Final champion (2017, 2018, 2019), a 2017 Four Continents champion, a 2022 Olympic silver medalist in the team event, a 2018 Olympic bronze medalist in the team event, and a six-time U.S. national champion (2017–22).
Karen Chen is known for her elegance, grace, and consistency. She is also praised for her spins, footwork, and transitions. She is the 2015 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb bronze medalist, the 2017 U.S. national champion, the 2022 U.S. national silver medalist, and a three-time U.S. national bronze medalist (2015, 2018, 2021). She competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics, where she placed 11th. She also competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics as part of the team event.
They Are Friends and Supporters of Each Other
Although Karen Chen and Nathan Chen are not related by blood or marriage, they are friends and supporters of each other. They have trained together at times and have cheered for each other at competitions. They have also expressed their admiration and respect for each other’s skating abilities and achievements.
In an interview with NBC Sports in 2017, Nathan Chen said that he was happy for Karen Chen’s success at the U.S. nationals that year. He said: “She’s been working so hard this whole season to get her jumps back to get her confidence back … I’m so proud of her.” He also added: “She’s an awesome girl as well as an awesome skater.”
In an interview with Team USA in 2018, Karen Chen said that she looked up to Nathan Chen as a role model and a friend. She said: “He’s such an inspiration to me … He’s always been there for me when I needed someone to talk to or someone to give me advice.” She also said: “He’s so humble about everything he does … He’s so down-to-earth.”
So there you have it: Karen Chen and Nathan Chen are not related by blood or marriage, but they are related by friendship and passion for figure skating. They are both amazing skaters who have made their mark on the sport and have inspired many fans around the world.