Taiwanese gymnasts are gearing up for the 19th Asian Games. Initially scheduled for 2022 but postponed due to Covid-19, the games are now set to take place in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8.
Among the talented athletes preparing for the competition is Lee Chih-kai (李智凱), who secured the silver medal in the pommel horse event at the Tokyo Olympics and is now setting his sights on the upcoming games.
During the previous Asian Games held in Jakarta in 2018, the men's gymnastics team brought home two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. Lee’s exceptional skills on the pommel horse contributed to his gold medal victory. This year, he is determined to defend his title and win a second consecutive championship.
Lee’s motivation to stay so determined? Seeing his son’s smile when he returns home, which he says fills him with the strength to train.
The women's gymnastics team is also preparing to compete in Hangzhou. Four of the five gymnasts selected for the national team this year, including Ding Huatian (丁華恬), are making their debut appearance at the Games.
Coach Tsai Heng Cheng (蔡恆政) expressed his confidence in the women's team and emphasized their talent and potential. He’s got his sights set high. He hopes they will outperform their previous session and bring home Taiwan's first Asian Games medal in women's team gymnastics.