fun facts | Xianwei Zou

Endurance Sports — I enjoy rowing and cycling.
- My profile photo was taken at Long Beach Marine Stadium, the venue for the 2028 LA Olympics.
- Since fracturing my ankle, I have cycled 100km every Saturday as part of my rehab.
- In 2025, I cycled 6,000 km and hiked 500 km.
Powerlifting — I train for powerlifting (with a 1100+ lb total).
- By the end of February 2026, I was able to do 3 sets of 3 reps of 135 lb (60 kg) weighted pull-ups, bringing me one step closer to the elite level.
- My squat PR is 399 lb, achieved during my fourth year of college, I haven’t really pushed beyond that since.
- My 5-rep deadlift PR is 405 lb, set while I was at CMU.
- My 3-rep bench press PR is 285 lb.
Other Sports — I used to do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, bouldering, and mountain climbing.
- When I am not cycling, I enjoy hiking, it’s a great way to clear my mind when I feel stuck.
Injury Recovery — I fractured my ankle in 2024 while cycling, and have been rehabbing since.
- I had a trimalleolar fracture, which resulted in the first surgery I’ve ever had; they put a plate and nine screws in my ankle.
- 4 months after the surgery, I completed my first 100 km and 120 km rides—those distances have since become my Saturday routine.
- 8 months after that, I climbed Mt. Baldy (San Antonio Peak), a 10,000 ft mountain in the San Gabriel Mountains, going up and back in under 3 hours—ranking in the top 9% on Strava, even with hardware in my ankle that restricts my range of motion.
- 12 months after the original injury, I had all the hardware removed at once; I’m currently working on recovery again.
- Thanks to my doctor, Dr. Aminian, he is the best!
Favorite Foods — I enjoy ice cream.
- I use ice cream as my reward after a long cardio session.
- I finish the whole bucket at once when i open it.
- Pistachio ice cream is my favorite.