Athletes and spectators experienced memories of a lifetime at the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade.
More than 7,700 student athletes from 141 countries and territories gathered Aug. 19-30 in Taipei City for the 29th Summer Universiade—the largest global sporting event ever staged in Taiwan. The country had high medal hopes for the games and the national team did not disappoint, delivering a national record of 26 golds, 34 silvers and 30 bronzes.
Locals thronged stadiums or huddled around TVs to show their support. They cheered when Cheng Chao-tsun (鄭兆村) smashed the Asian record in the javelin with a gold medal-winning throw. They sighed when an error in the bottom of the ninth cost the baseball team its game against France and the eventual chance of advancement. And there was not a dry eye to be found when Kuo Hsing-chun (郭婞淳) clinched gold in the women’s weightlifting and cried with joy in her coach’s arms.
After the curtain came down on the Universiade with a spectacular closing ceremony at Taipei Stadium, the adoring public had one last chance to pay tribute to the athletes. Taiwan Heroes Parade took place the next day, involving more than 200 of the nation’s stars driving through the streets of the city in jeeps and open-top buses. Thousands of enthusiastic spectators lined the way, cheering and waving flags and banners bearing the slogan “Taiwan heroes, we are grateful.”
As athletes and well-wishers joined in singing the iconic song “Set Out Again” at the end of the parade, thoughts turned to the next games and hopes of achieving even greater glory for Taiwan.
—by Jim Hwang
Weightlifter Kuo Hsing-chun and her coach share an emotion-charged moment. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Yang Chun-han, center, wins Taiwan’s first-ever gold in the men’s 100-meter final at the Universiade. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Gold medalist Cheng Chao-tsun is all smiles after winning gold and setting a new Asian record of 91.36 meters in the javelin. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Lee Chih-kai twists and turns his way to Taiwan’s first-ever gold in men’s pommel horse at the Universiade. (Photo courtesy of 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade Organizing Committee)
Men’s billiards singles gold medalist Hsu Jui-an(Photo courtesy of TUOC)
Kuo Hsing-chun breaks the world record in the women’s 58kg weightlifting clean and jerk. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Athletes prepare for the Universiade at National Sports Training Center in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City. (Photos by Chuang Kung-ju)
World No.1 Tai Tzu-ying is a double-gold winner in badminton at the games. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Chan Hao-ching (left) and her sister Chan Yung-jan power their way to gold in the women’s doubles. (Photos by Chin Hung-hao)
Taiwan is the best performing roller sports team at the Universiade with 10 golds, 11 silvers and two bronzes. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Rhythmic gymnastics athletes Song Yu-han (left) and Chan Ting-chen (Photos courtesy of TUOC and Huang Chung-hsin)
Jason Jung smashes a forehand on his way to winning gold in the men’s singles. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Well-wishers and athletes during the Taiwan Heroes Parade (Photos courtesy of TUOC and Chen Mei-ling)
An exuberant Team Spain at the Universiade closing ceremony (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)