Nathan Chen 2008 Junior Nationals Age 8

One of the many joys I have as a videographer of figure skating is to see young boys and girls achieve their ultimate dreams. To make it to the Olympics is just unbelievable. I started recording skating in 1989 and have probably recorded close to a hundred thousand skaters that I'm sure their dream was to go to the Olympics.
One skater I recorded from a very early age was Sasha Cohen and she was an absolutely beautiful skater who won the silver medal at the 2006 Olympics. I could always tell she was going to do great things in skating.
Watching Nathan Chen tonight win the gold medal tonight was such a personal thrill for me. A couple of years ago I started working at the Great Park Ice Arena in Irvine where Nathan trains and have made ice for this gentleman many times. I feel proud to have been a small part of his journey.
But going back a little farther my company Hurd Video Productions recorded Nathan at age 8 at the Junior Nationals in Salt Lake City. I thought I would share what a future Olympic gold medalist looks like at an early age.
Such talent now and then and the Kiss and Cry at the end is fun too. Enjoy!

[@AT-jm4dl]

Such good speed and and attack for an 8 years old. And a star was born.

[@sachipaul]

スケーティングに面影がありますね！！ ネイサンがフィギュア界に大きな影響を与えたことは間違いのない事実ですね。北京での金メダルを心から嬉しく思います🥇

[@sarahahmed1606]

Character, confidence and courage are the same since that time has not changed 😭💙

[@paul-zx5du]

His early coaches must be so proud! Thank you, coaches!

[@estherho3872]

Think he has the same coach until now ( Rafael Arutyunyanhe), he mentioned in an interview that Rafael used to refuse his mum’s payments of fees when he was young because he knew their family isn’t well off. What a respectable coach.

[@paul-zx5du]

@@estherho3872 He had coaches earlier in his career.

[@iKeto_gal]

@@estherho3872 His coaches here are Amanda and Karel Kovar

[@mikewhocheeseharry5292]

@@ey5722 I love that even more knowing they didn’t give up their personal values because of money, and good thing they didn’t take the offer because they’ll have a lot of money now from endorsements.

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

@@estherho3872 That’s so nice of them! I hope they continue to be in his life even after he retires from skating.

[@itz_moonwolf1480]

Id just like to mention how his mom hugged him the moment he stepped off the ice, absolutely adorable.

[@rachelmaddowswife8713]

I can't imagine being his parent and watching that, I'd be bawling!

[@letitiakearney2423]

That’s not his mother thats his coach. His mother and father are both Chinese.

[@rachelmaddowswife8713]

@@letitiakearney2423 They're not talking about the two white people who talked with him before the routine and sat with him after. An Asian woman gave him a big hug right after he stepped off the ice.

[@Dogcatlover2432]

Why wouldn’t she?

[@Dogcatlover2432]

Pretty sure every mother would have done that

[@SuperEunha]

I love nathan!!!

[@westcoastgirl]

The little soldier boy who was born to be a champion .

[@paulluk7515]

Amazing! The own son of the coaches here Amanda and Karel Kovar won the US nationals junior this year! Hope he'll be as successful as Nathan someday!

[@clstc0922]

Look at all those double double combinations! Amazing athlete. He is still the same today, totally calm and collected.

[@corabrann8178]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😂😂😂

[@user-nt3fg5sq2e]

Для восмилетнего мальчика- это что-то невероятное. Великолепно

[@censoredyoutube4902]

8 yrs old? This clip just shows him already a prodigy on the ice.

[@swuuur]

He is olympic champion right now!! Congratulations!

[@kimNataly]

Wooooow! Amazing Nathan Chen and so cute! A little soldier doing this jumps and performing in a sublime way! He is breathraking! He is amazing since his very young age! I love him! 💕🤴🏻💙

[@christineg2179]

Outstanding! So adorable! Super gifted! Can’t believe he was so good at this young age.

[@sophiaherzog8495]

The Olympians usually are

[@dlcc4dlng]

Nathan had the all the skills to pass the senior test at age 8!!! Amazing

[@LaBlueStateGirl]

You seem to know what you're talking about! 🙂What level do you think he was competing in? I was hoping Herd would have included that for us.

[@maryannkeyes9972]

When he stepped off the ice, couldn’t see his head over the wall... adorable!

[@inna18372]

Genius👏👏👏

[@karasworld2048]

He was In the winter Olympics this year and got the golden medal so cool and he’s really good for just eight years old

[@smurfiennes]

Too cute. He got a bag full of toys and a roll of blanket? Aww😍

[@sporeKAfan]

Once in a lifetime skating prodigy. Even after dominating the skating scene since 2017, nobody has been able to do achieve that level of tecnical excellence yet.

[@edithlazenby5839]

How could u not love that adorable kid!! What a gift!! Great Mom too!!

[@irisk934]

His star quality was so obvious even at 8 years old!

[@indie8189]

I became Nathan‘s biggest fan the last three days. What an amazing athlete and individual!

[@noran7809]

I'm Nathan's ardent fan from his first senior season. What he did at 2016 GPF (Free Skate), totally stunned me... Still no one is able to execute his programs.

[@ceciliacecilia2292]

welcome to the club

[@Belfastboi]

WOW what he does with that tiny body I caaaaant! That looks exhausting an for an 8 year old?! The control and precision wow I’m blown away

[@thulekovish8188]

Omg, how cute and impressive he was! He was all business like look at my lines and my jumps! The making of a brilliant athlete and a superb Olympic Gold medalist.

[@tc123c4]

8 years old?! That is amazing! Yeah, he was a prodigy from the start! Most kids are kids happy skating around let alone doing spins and tricks! 😆

[@marciacoco9549]

Wow even at that young age he was amazing ❣️❣️

[@ccefc_families297]

Totally agree! He has such speed and attack in those jumps. No fear!

[@ElizabethBWang]

自古英雄出少年! Congratulations NATHAN CHEN 陈巍 for your 2022 Beijing Olympic Gold Medal!!

[@victoriaorr479]

Look how good he was at age 8. No wonder her grew up to be a champion!!!

[@elizaji]

Truly deserving of his long-sought Olympic gold with a near-perfect free skate yesterday. An inspiring story too... hard work, dedication & Talent.

[@markpeterson9815]

A second grader, and so much talent already. I’m just randomly watching because of his gold performance this year. Amazing dedication and talent Nathan, wow!

[@lehsu]

That’s better skating than some of the Olympic performances this year.

[@nikorucupcake2499]

Damn even at 8 he was a powerhouse 👏

[@hrhrae1959]

He's gorgeous. Right from that age one csn tell he is gifted And to see his mother waiting for him is touching.

[@karenlou1278]

As a mom, my tears come out! At that moment, he did as excellent as on Olympic!

[@mlr4524]

Wow, I think I found this even more impressive for his age than his Olympic performance. He was already a pro telling his coaches where the camera was lol.

[@tonniatran5681]

The female coach is so tender and caring...

[@emmamago7636]

He is so darn cute.

[@PANDAandEAGLE]

可愛い😍

[@janetpartyka5968]

I love how attentive they are to Nathan. Female coach is smiling and giving him encouragement.

[@user-nd9bo4hi3d]

I am very lucky to come across this video to see eight-year-old Nathan Chen perform. Many things we adored in his performances in 2022 Beijing Olympics are already seen in this video! The Japanese bead tree is fragrant from when a sprout. (= Genius shows from childhood.)

[@user-hy7cz5pi1e]

Вы посмотрите видео с Камилой в 8 лет. Это тоже чудо! Видео в 2015 году.

[@user-nd9bo4hi3d]

@@user-hy7cz5pi1e Thank you for the information. I watched eight-year-old Camila Valieva perform to Borodin's Prince Igor Polovtsian Dances. Surely it is another good example of the saying, "The Japanese bead tree is fragrant from when a sprout. "

[@mrl6956]

Phenomenal Kamila "perform to Borodin's Prince Igor Polovtsian Dances", like Nathan in 2016/17 season :)

[@thlee3]

is he popular in China? is he looked upon favorably? honest question.

[@mechak326]

Couldn't stop smiling. He is adorable

[@oc7606]

All of the people watching just witnessed the making of an Olympian!

[@bb5461]

Amazing at such a young age, so happy for him winning the gold medal

[@marykay1946]

ROCKET MAN! 🚀

[@heathernewbold406]

Wow! He was already really good as an 8-year old!

[@7girl]

Omg he was sooo adorable. Congrats on gold at the olympics!!!!!

[@edithmolina1422]

Un niño adorable con personalidad y mucho talento ,un artista un prodigio que llegó muy arriba con los años

[@eandsm4620]

What's not to love?! What a talent Nathan is!!!

[@kaleimaile]

Dang! He was soooo good @ that age!

[@kimdye4609]

Amazing! 8 years old!!

[@mikekelly6053]

one of the best athletes ever.

[@angelamoric6638]

Маленький, а уже тогда было видно, что перспективный и будущий олимпийский чемпион👏🥇

[@user-bc8em8gx2m]

Своим выступлением прокатал программу блестяще. Молодец. Желаю больших спортивных успехов в любимом виде спорта. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@clo999]

Good Lord! I was prepared for Aww isn’t that cute, but he was a champion at 8!

[@alphabetacanton]

So cool, calm, and collected even at such a tender age.

[@Baseballmom-1221]

What a talent !! Sweet, humble and phenomenal!!!

[@disengagedsage737]

At 8 years old, he can skate better than I can run or do any of those spins moves on grass.

[@rhondaphillips1479]

😆

[@mysticalmargaret6105]

I'm the hang on to the rails kind of 'skater'! 🤣🤣🤣⛸⛸

[@mikewhocheeseharry5292]

That’s a bit pathetic. No offense if you’re physically handicapped. 😀

[@mysticalmargaret6105]

@@mikewhocheeseharry5292 Not at all offended, and yes it's pathetic - I'm that bad! 😄 Living in Central Florida, I don't get to skate on ice and practice very much. No rinks nearby! 🌞🌞🌞🌴🌴🌴

[@M_SC]

No one can spin on ground, it requires ice

[@madisonthecat88]

Aww he's so cute! He was basically made for this sport.

[@VOUSFabuleuxBE]

some are borned to BE and Nathan is one of his kind, so amazed and stunned with his keep outcreating himself while in such a communion with his body,

[@curiouspenguin6887]

Just plain born to skate!

[@carolinehaf21]

Beautiful kid... unreal to see how much these kids are dedicated and so happy to see it pays off. If you haven't seen his Olympic performance of Rocketman PLEASE watch it. The arrangement of the music (more of an Elton John medley from the movie) is impeccable and the timing of his landings with the music especially when Rocketman kicks in is something you can watch over and over and just want to applaud. Perfect songs, perfect outfit, he nailed it all. Thank you again Nathan.

[@Jude74]

Even then you could see his destiny.

[@thelmaalmaden8131]

He was born to be a world champion!

[@slc4226]

Already looked like a champion at age 8. I counted 3 double double combinations!

[@CarlosCastro_]

The boards are almost as tall as he is, but this how an Olympic Champion is made.

[@barrettf.watson156]

Tell me you’re going to be Olympic Champion without telling me you’re going to be Olympic Champion.

[@naomichadwick4223]

Anyone here after the gold win?

[@barbsturgeon]

Wow, he could have won an Olympic gold medal at this young age even.

[@renatemensah9732]

He is so cute and a born champion. His moves are perfect at this tender age. The great results we see now. Its a joy to watch.👍🙋‍♀️❤👌

[@iosebdzamukashvili5360]

Such an adorable child ❤

[@yavannakementari4632]

Whoever filmed this was probably like: he might become famous someday, let’s get this on video…

[@bruhbro1181]

He got famous from winning gold in 2022

[@yavannakementari4632]

@@bruhbro1181 yeah that’s what I mean

[@user-di5nw1qc3b]

Чемпиона видно с детства☝️главное,чтобы он попал в правильные профессиональные руки.

[@princessryann2581]

So very young and cute!Skating very fast speed andgreat spins!!!

[@joanncha1172]

你是我們孩子學習好榜樣。

[@Chocolatesonnet]

Oh just adorable! What a skater! What a great young man.

[@madcowking]

I am 36 and cannot even ice skate, but Nate was already so good at 8...

[@jereykobalt8874]

It's so great to have these wonderful stories of our athletes especially in these times. Truly amazing this little Golden boy, Nathan. I'm so happy for him. Gold Medalist 2022 Beijing Olympics. Very well deserved. Take a bow, Nathan.............

[@happyday868]

Good choice in terms of coaches. The parents have done a good job. The kid is totally balanced...on ice, on earth, in nature , in arts and science.

[@eileenmcnichol9657]

His talent dazzles me. 8 years old and already a wonder on the ice.

[@swanchwan]

Omg what a cutie! He was so calm when he was a kid too!

[@cyclamengarden]

Thank you for sharing this! Its fun to see how much he changed from 2008 to 2010. Yet he's still the cute Nathan Chen.

[@NTNTNT2577]

Yes, I love to see him when I was a kid. How cute he was :-) with the incredible skating.

[@janetpartyka5968]

Technique is already good at this age.

[@itispam]

Talented from his early years - sheer hard graft too and how amazingly successful he is now so it’s truly paid off for him, Well done!

[@user-xr1jo7eh4i]

What a wonderful sportsman! Very talented from the very beginning! Congratulations!😊

[@jw2178]

Already had a good sense of music. Gifted and diligent!

[@shiowmeychiao3325]

Ballet classes does it’s element very well here.

[@wil6518]

The cutest and talented boy!!!

[@AjieA]

He ate this up. Honestly, he always had that it factor

[@lruss5050]

He did better at 8 than some of the adult men!

[@geopaulet923]

Cutie pie 🥰

[@ideagirl]

Wow! He was so good as a child! He has been doing spins and jumps all his life!!!

[@fredfrond6148]

The Lady coach was exactly like a mother to Nathan. You can see really encouraged him all the way.

[@janisedenton4242]

He did all the same figures and elements at age 8, except for the quad that he did in the Olympics. Such dedication and talent!

[@jennies3452]

Aww little Nathan is so adorable

[@winkieblink7625]

What a sweet heart. Must be awesome to be part of that great talent ….and to see it develop right in front of you. So exciting 👏👏👏

[@1964Msbea]

thank you for uploading this. he makes figure skating look easy, like it was just play. champions built through years of great discipline. congrats Nathan !

[@dashoverton1963]

Too cute!

[@jacquelinehumber6430]

And he looks so happy🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@ccefc_families297]

"Little Nathan, someday you will be the Olympic champion!"

[@rigzinyangdol2889]

The little boy had already arrived then. Adorable then n amazing now 👍