Zhang is the first skater to land a clean quadruple toeloop in the short program at an ISU Championship (1999 Four Continents). The option to include a quad in the short program exists only since the season 1998/99. Zhang has landed quadruple Salchows in competition as well. Zhang names three time World Champion Elvis Stojko of Canada as his idol in skating. Zhang competed in the 1994 Olympic Winter Games and finished 20th.