Zhao represented his country at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, where he competed at two events, the 100 and 200 metre sprints. He managed to make the finals of the 100 metre race, finishing just outside the medals in fourth place. Four years later, at the 2012 Paralympics in London he won two medals, a gold in the 100 meter sprint and a silver as part of the men's 100 metre relay team.