Thirty years have passed since C. K. Yang was a decathlon superstar, but his love for athletics has never waned. Today he devotes his efforts to training up-and-coming young people, in the hope that they will become C. K. Yangs of the future, or perhaps go on to even greater achievements.
Yang is included in the ranks of the one or two really great sporting figures in the Republic of China, particularly since his victories enabled the national flag to be flown over the Olympic stadium.
During his 10 years of active competition which started with the second Asian Games in 1954, and ended with the 18th Olympic Games in 1964, C. K. Yang became the Asian decathlon champion and world record holder. He has not only won numerous honors for the Republic of China, but has also earned himself a seat in international sporting circles.
Born in Taitung County, C. K. Yang at first specialized in the high jump. A month before the second Asian games, however, his coach, Shih Lin-sheng, discovered he had considerable potential in the sprint, broad jump, javelin, discus, shot putt and middle distance running. All these comprise sections of the decathlon, and after months of rigorous training, C. K. Yang was able to capture the gold medal in this event in the 1954 Asian Games. Before the Melbourne Olympics, he was ranked 8th in world decathlon standings, after receiving special training in the United States. At the third Asian Games in 1958, Yang broke the games record in winning the decathlon gold medal. With the nation's hopes pinned on him, Yang was determined to win the gold medal at the 17th Olympics held in Rome in 1960. But he ran into formidable opposition from the then world record holder, Johnson, and had to be content with the silver medal. Nevertheless, Yang's achievement meant that the flag of the Republic of China fluttered proudly over the Olympic stadium. Three years later, however, Yang was avenged when he broke Johnson's world record of 8,683 points with an amazing total of 9,121 points.
He decided to retire before the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, but even so, he still holds the national records for the decathlon, 110 meters high hurdles, and pole vault. In addition, his decathlon tally is still a world record according to the former method of scoring, while his high hurdle record still has not been broken by an Asian athlete.
During a more than 10 years stay in the United States, C. K. Yang tried his luck in many fields, including bonds sales, insurance, public works, movies and television films.
But he never forgot his grounding in the world of sports. In particular, he cherished a desire to train athletes from his fatherland to win medals in the Olympic Games. Thus, in 1976, when the Republic of China Gymnastic Association invited him to be coach for the track and field team participating in the 21st Olympic Games, he accepted without hesitation.
That year, under his instruction, the team's athletes broke national records in 18 events, including Yang's old javelin throw and 400-meter mark.
In November 1976, when an athletics training center was set up at Tsoying near Kaohsiung, he was appointed head coach. He soon made the center his home, and dedicated all his efforts to training young athletes. He even turned down an invitation from the U.S. to be a coach of its Olympic team.
Apart from his outstanding work in sports, C. K. Yang is also known for his patriotism. In 1968, when "Taiwan independence" elements tried to entice him to join their camp, he turned them down flatly, and instead applied to join the ruling Kuomintang party immediately on his return to the Republic of China. Even when the Chinese Communists made him an offer to work on the mainland, he never wavered.
At last year's Taiwan area games, C. K. Yang and Chi Cheng, the Republic of China's other most famed athlete, immediately after delivering the sacred torch on the final 400-meter lap, rushed to the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport without even changing their sports wear, to defend the membership of the ROC Olympics Committee at a meeting in Japan of the International Olympics Committee. Though they failed, C. K. Yang is not bitter. He remains firm in his commitment to his training camp. By trying to live up to Yang's "Iron Man" image, it is certain that young people in the Republic of China will be able to repeat his achievements.
[Picture Caption]
1 to 3: At last year's Taiwan Area Games, C. K. Yang and Chi Cheng deliver the sacred torch on the final 400-meter lap. As head coach for the athletics training center set up at Tsoying by the Republic of China's Gymnastic Association, C. K. Yang makes the center his home, and dedicates all his efforts to training young athletes.
Under Yang's instruction, the athletes have made speedy improvement. By trying to live up to Yang's "Iron Man" image, it is hoped that young people in the Republic of China will be able to repeat his achievements.
After 20 years of marriage, C. K. Yang and his wife are still happy together. Knowing that Yang can never be separated from his fatherland, his wife and son have moved to Tsoying to be with him. Though she cannot speak Mandarin and has difficulty in communicating with the athletes, Mrs. Yang makes the training center her home.
At last year's Taiwan Area Games, C. K. Yang and Chi Cheng deliver the sacred torch on the final 400-meter lap. As head coach for the athletics training center set up at Tsoying by the Republic of China's Gymnastic Association, C. K. Yang makes the center his home, and dedicates all his efforts to training young athletes.
At last year's Taiwan Area Games, C. K. Yang and Chi Cheng deliver the sacred torch on the final 400-meter lap. As head coach for the athletics training center set up at Tsoying by the Republic of China's Gymnastic Association, C. K. Yang makes the center his home, and dedicates all his efforts to training young athletes.
Under Yang's instruction, the athletes have made speedy improvement. By trying to live up to Yang's "Iron Man" image, it is hoped that young people in the Republic of China will be able to repeat his achievements.
Under Yang's instruction, the athletes have made speedy improvement. By trying to live up to Yang's "Iron Man" image, it is hoped that young people in the Republic of China will be able to repeat his achievements.
Under Yang's instruction, the athletes have made speedy improvement. By trying to live up to Yang's "Iron Man" image, it is hoped that young people in the Republic of China will be able to repeat his achievements.
Under Yang's instruction, the athletes have made speedy improvement. By trying to live up to Yang's "Iron Man" image, it is hoped that young people in the Republic of China will be able to repeat his achievements.
Under Yang's instruction, the athletes have made speedy improvement. By trying to live up to Yang's "Iron Man" image, it is hoped that young people in the Republic of China will be able to repeat his achievements.
After 20 years of marriage, C. K. Yang and his wife are still happy together. Knowing that Yang can never be separated from his fatherland, his wife and son have moved to Tsoying to be with him. Though she cannot speak Mandarin and has difficulty in communicating with the athletes, Mrs. Yang makes the training center her home.
After 20 years of marriage, C. K. Yang and his wife are still happy together. Knowing that Yang can never be separated from his fatherland, his wife and son have moved to Tsoying to be with him. Though she cannot speak Mandarin and has difficulty in communicating with the athletes, Mrs. Yang makes the training center her home.
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