TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan is preparing to send a powerful delegation of 482 athletes competing in 34 sports to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with several of the country’s biggest Olympic stars set to lead the charge.
The Ministry of Sports announced that the delegation includes Olympic gold medal-winning boxer Lin Yu-ting, weightlifting champion Kuo Hsing-chun, Olympic silver medal-winning judoka Yang Yung-wei and gymnastics star Lee Chih-kai, Taiwan’s first Olympic medalist in the sport.
The Asian Games will take place from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 at venues across Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, bringing together thousands of athletes from across Asia in one of the world’s biggest multi-sport events.
Olympic Stars Lead Taiwan’s Challenge
Lin Yu-ting will once again be among the most closely watched members of Taiwan’s delegation.
The boxer made history by becoming Taiwan’s first Olympic boxing gold medalist at the Paris Games and is now preparing for another major international challenge in Japan.
Lin has also recently spoken about her difficult journey following her Olympic triumph, including a period in which she considered retirement before deciding to continue her boxing career. She is set to compete in a new weight class at the Asian Games as she pursues another major medal.
Weightlifting star Kuo Hsing-chun will also bring Olympic experience and championship pedigree to the Taiwanese team.
Meanwhile, Yang Yung-wei remains one of Taiwan’s biggest medal hopes in judo after becoming one of the country’s most recognizable international athletes.
Gymnast Lee Chih-kai, who made history as Taiwan’s first Olympic gymnastics medalist, adds another major name to a delegation packed with experienced competitors.
Gymnastics Leads Taiwan’s Largest Team
Gymnastics will have the largest number of athletes in Taiwan’s delegation, with 37 competitors selected for the Asian Games.
E-sports will have the second-largest group, with 33 athletes, reflecting the growing importance of competitive gaming at major international sporting events.
Taiwan’s athletes have been preparing for the Games for more than two years, with many beginning their training programs as early as August 2024.
Training was intensified in July as the delegation entered the final stage of preparations for the competition.
Medical and Training Teams to Support Athletes
Taiwan’s delegation will not travel to Japan alone.
Minister of Sports Lee Yang said the team will include 10 sports medicine physicians, along with more than 100 athletic trainers and therapists, to provide medical care and performance support throughout the competition.
The expanded support team reflects growing attention to athlete health, injury prevention and recovery as Taiwan aims to maximize its medal chances across dozens of sports.
For athletes competing in physically demanding events and facing packed competition schedules, access to medical professionals and therapists could play a crucial role in determining success.
Veteran Shooter Makes Eighth Asian Games Appearance
One of the most experienced members of Taiwan’s delegation is sport shooter Lin Yi-chun.
At 45, Lin is the oldest athlete on the Taiwanese team and is set to make her eighth appearance at the Asian Games.
She will represent Taiwan under the name Chinese Taipei, the designation used by Taiwan at many international sporting events.
Her remarkable longevity highlights the combination of experienced veterans and younger athletes that Taiwan will bring to Japan.
Taiwan Chasing Another Historic Medal Haul
Taiwan has previously enjoyed major success at the Asian Games.
The country’s best-ever performance in terms of gold medals came twice, when Taiwan won 19 gold medals at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games and again at the most recent edition in Hangzhou in 2022.
Taiwan finished sixth in the overall medal standings at both events.
With Olympic champions, experienced veterans and rising young athletes included in this year’s squad, expectations will once again be high as Taiwan attempts to build on its recent success.
A Major Test Before the Next Olympic Cycle
The Asian Games are widely regarded as the world’s second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.
For many athletes, the competition provides an opportunity to test themselves against Asia’s strongest rivals while gaining valuable experience on a major international stage.
For Taiwan’s Olympic medalists, the Games offer another opportunity to add to their achievements.
For younger athletes, the event could become a breakthrough moment.
And for Taiwan’s 482-member sporting delegation, the mission is clear: bring experience, preparation and national pride to one of Asia’s biggest sporting stages.
When the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games begin on Sept. 19, Taiwan will arrive with one of its strongest collections of Olympic stars, veteran competitors and emerging talent — all aiming to bring home another memorable medal haul.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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