Silver Strides: Lin Wei-chun’s Journey at the Hangzhou Asian Games

Silver Strides: Lin Wei-chun’s Journey at the Hangzhou Asian Games

From Taekwondo Legacy to Silver Medalist

In the world of Taekwondo, the name Lin Wei-chun is growing increasingly prominent. This Taiwanese athlete, from a distinguished Taekwondo family, clinched the silver medal in the women’s 53kg event at the Hangzhou Asian Games on September 26. Despite her triumphant performance, Lin expressed a sense of regret, particularly over the initial round where she dropped her guard in the concluding second, allowing her South Korean contender, Park Hye-jin, to gain an edge.

Lin, who towers at 180cm, initiated her Taekwondo training in the fourth grade of elementary school. Her mother, Liu Zhaoqing, is a former national Taekwondo athlete and a triple gold medalist at the Asian Championships. Inspired by her mother, Lin followed closely in her footsteps, seizing the gold medal at the 2019 Asian Youth Games.

Battling Towards the Asian Games

The 20-year-old athlete secured her position in the Asian Games by defeating Su Bo-ya, a previous gold medalist, in a national selection competition. During the finals, Lin was leading the match for most of the duration, but lost the first round 6-7 due to a last-second counterattack by Park.

In the second round, Lin managed to reverse the situation and triumphed 9-7. However, she lost the third round 9-12 due to a series of attacks by her opponent. Reflecting on her performance, Lin confessed that she let her guard down during the final moments of the first round and did not anticipate her opponent’s counterattack.

The Fine Line Between Silver and Gold

Lin expressed that if she hadn’t lost points in the latter part of the first round, she might have clinched the gold medal. She felt she could have won, but fell just short. Nevertheless, she surpassed her own expectations by reaching the finals, as she had been training with the assumption that she would face Chinese athlete Zuo Ju in the quarterfinals.

Despite not winning the gold, Lin believes that she has gained a lot from her Asian Games journey. She is pleased with her silver medal and sees it as proof to her mother of her abilities. Lin looks forward to enhancing her physical strength and reducing her emotional reactions in future competitions.

A Bright Future Ahead

Lin Wei-chun’s journey at the Hangzhou Asian Games is a testament to her dedication and talent. Despite her regrets, her silver medal is a significant accomplishment that reflects her hard work and skill. As Lin looks to future competitions, her experience at the Asian Games serves as both an inspiration and a stepping stone towards greater achievements. With her determination and passion for the sport, the future of this promising athlete shines bright.