Laura Zeng’s record-breaking rise through the ranks of rhythmic gymnastics started at age 7 when she was introduced to the sport by a friend in her Chinese folk dancing class. Just a year later she won the beginner level U.S. Championship title. In 2014, she claimed a bronze medal in the all-around at the Youth Olympic Games, becoming the first American to win a rhythmic gymnastics medal at any Olympic competition. In 2015, her first season as a senior, Zeng completely swept the individual rhythmic gymnastics competition at the Pan American Games by winning gold medals in the all-around, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon finals. At her senior world championships debut Zeng made history yet again by placing eighth in the all-around final, the highest finish ever for an American at Worlds.