Shen/Zhao are the first pair from China to become World Champions (in 2002). They have been skating together since 1992. They are also the 2002 Olympic bronze and 1999 and 2000 World silver medalists. Both started as single skaters and Shen was paired with Zhao when his former partner retired. Shen/Zhao have landed quadruple throw Salchows in practice. Zhao ruptured his achilles tendon while practising a triple toeloop in August 2005 and was off the ice for months. The couple came back to competition for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. They retired from competition in 2007 but decided to come back for the Olympic season. The couple got married in 2007. Coach Bin Yao was on the first team that represented China in a World Championship (Dortmund 1980).