Taiwan claimed its fourth gold medal at the Asian Para Games Oct. 23 in Incheon, South Korea, scoring a top-of-the-podium finish in powerlifting women’s 79 kilograms.
Lin Tzu-hui, 33, recorded a best lift of 113 kilograms to finish ahead of her rivals from Jordan and Indonesia in second and third, respectively. Although pleased with her gold, Lin said compared to what she has previously lifted, there was room for improvement.
A proven performer for Taiwan in the international sporting arena, Lin picked up bronze at the 2012 London Paralympics and golds at the 2008 Beijing and 2004 Athens games.
According to Lin, the bronze in London was due to a shoulder injury. “The thought of winning only bronze depressed me a lot. But I imagined the joy I might feel when receiving a gold medal and watching the flag being raised at a future tournament and soon cheered up,” she said.
Lin said she took up powerlifting while studying at Changhua County-based National Hemei Experimental School as a way of controlling her weight. “It started as a hobby and soon became something much more.”
Luca Hsia, an adviser to Taiwan’s delegation at the games, said Lin has made it very clear she intends to earn another medal for Taiwan at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Taiwan’s Day Six medal tally was four golds, 10 silvers and 24 bronzes, ranking the nation 14th in the standings. (SSC-JSM)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw