The Sweet Taste of Medals

Ping Peng　/　tr. by Brent Heinrich

December 1994

中文

In the 1994 Asian Games, held this October in Hiroshima, Japan, Chinese Taipei won seven gold, 12 silver and 24 bronze medals. It was the biggest haul ever in the 40 years that Chinese Taipei has competed, both overall and in terms of golds.

"Mom, my competition is over, I got the gold medal!" As soon as he won his match, Taiwan's taekwondo champion Chang Jung-san immediately called long-distance to tell his family the news. His family joyfully prepared fruit and flowers as offerings to their ancestors and set off firecrackers.

Chang Jung-san has long been accustomed to the role of the old master. Starting at the age of 12 and continuing for the next 16 years, he has become famous for his rigorous training and perseverance. Chang, whose career went into hiatus two years ago, came back to compete in this year's Asian Games. Living up to people's highest expectations, he took the gold medal. Chang Jung-san confessed that this was the most cherished prize of his whole life. Now he can retire in contentment.

Those who saw female gold medalist Wang Hui-chen's performance at the Asian Games must admire her athletic prowess. When she received her medal, she said that she had prepared seven years for that moment. She sacrificed work and free time, and she twice took a leave of absence from school. In January of 1994, she accepted her physician's advice and underwent bone surgery. During the half year in which she could not run, even she often doubted whether she could attain her goal.

Life is short, and the pressures of the arena are not light. During the Asian Games, some people met defeat, and some found applause. The will to strive lies within human beings, but only fate can decide the victory. This road to the gold is longer than anyone might imagine.

[Picture Caption]

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Chang Jung-san, upon receiving his gold medal. (photo by Lin Shao-yen)

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Tseng Hsiao-fen, women's judo bronze medalist. (photo by Han Tung-ching)

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Chang Jung-san, taekwondo gold medalist. (photo by Lin Shao-yan)

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Liao Hsing-chou, weightlifting bronze medalist. (photo by Chen Kung-ku)

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Wu Chin-chan, who placed fourth in the men's parallel bars competition. (photo by Wu Kung-ming)

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Team equestrian jumping competition silver medal winners. (photo by Wu Kung-ming)

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Hsu Pei-ching, women's 400 meter hurdles bronze medalist. (photo by Lin Shao-yen)

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Taekwondo competitor Liu Tsu-yin, originally seen as a prime contender, was eliminated in his first bout. (photo by Lin Shao-yen)

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Women's heptathlon competitor Ma Chun-ping performed very well during her first day of competition. She reboundedfrom her jump with a look of joy.(Photo by Lin Ming-yuan)

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Men's doubles tennis gold medalists. (photo by Chen Kung-ku)

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Wang Hui-chen, women's 200 meter gold medalist. (photo by Wu Kung-ming)

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Golfer Huang Yu-chen won two gold medals. (photo by Wu Kung-ming)

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Liu Tsu-yin's trainer, Ho Lung-cheng. (photo by Lin Ming-yuan)

Tseng Hsiao-fen, women's judo bronze medalist. （photo by Han Tung-ching）

Chang Jung-san, taekwondo gold medalist. （photo by Lin Shao-yan）

Liao Hsing-chou, weightlifting bronze medalist. （photo by Chen Kung-ku）

Wu Chin-chan, who placed fourth in the men's parallel bars competition. （photo by Wu Kung-ming）

Team equestrian jumping competition silver medal winners. （photo by WuKung-ming）

Hsu Pei-ching, women's 400 meter hurdles bronze medalist. （photo by Lin Shao-yen）

Taekwondo competitor Liu Tsu-yin, originally seen as a prime contender, was eliminated in his first bout. （photo by Lin Shao-yen）

Women's heptathlon competitor Ma Chun-ping performed very well duringher first day of competition. She reboundedfrom her jump with a look of joy.（Photo by Lin Ming-yuan）