Taiwan bags two golds in men’s and women’s 3,000-meter roller skating relays
We start with the Asian Games, where Taiwan has added two skating golds to its medal tally. The men’s and women’s skate teams each won their final in the 3,000-meter relays. In the men’s event, Taiwan triumphed by just 0.01 seconds. It was a tough lesson for their South Korean opponents, who had celebrated the win prematurely.
The bell rings for the final lap. Sticking close to South Korea, Taiwan skater Huang Yu-lin drives in from the outside, pumping hard to clinch the win.
This was the men’s 3,000-meter relay team final. The skaters crossed the line at almost the same time, with South Korea appearing to finish first, as his body was farther forward. But his team’s celebration was cut short when the scores were released. Taiwan clocked in at 4 minutes, 5.692 seconds – just 0.01 seconds ahead of South Korea.
South Korea’s Jung Cheol-won’s had thrown his arms up in joy at the finish line, but the celebration proved premature. The Taiwan skater had been right at his heels, overtaking him by the breadth of one front wheel. The outcome left South Korea stunned. The victory has been hailed as “miraculous,” and has become of Taiwan’s most dramatic moments at the games.
Huang Yu-lin
Skating gold medalist
We won by that one wheel. Yesterday we were really down. And today we thought we placed second, but then, we looked at the screen and we were first! It was a roller coaster of emotions.
Huang, Taiwan’s anchor in the relay event, had brought his team to victory. One day earlier, he had shed tears after getting disqualified from the men’s 1,000-meter sprint due to a collision with other athletes.
Less than 24 hours later, he’s got a gold medal around his neck. The athlete says it was all thanks to perseverance and a great team strategy.
Huang Yu-lin
Skating gold medalist
Before crossing the finish line, I went to a higher part of the track, so that gravity would give me speed as I went down the slope on the final sprint. I tried to do it and succeeded.
Before the men’s 3,000-meter relay gold, Taiwan had already secured gold in the women’s 3,000-meter relay, also by defeating South Korea, their main competition.
A member of the women’s team is 31-year-old Yang Ho-chen楊合貞, a legend in the sport. Yang has collected golds at many competitions, but was missing one from the Asian Games. Monday’s race was her final international competition, and she finally fulfilled her wish.
Yang Ho-chen
Skating gold medalist
We were all set on getting this gold medal, even before the race, with our coaching team. I would like to thank my teammates for all the efforts we’ve made to win this gold.
With the two team golds, Taiwan’s medal haul in roller skating is now four golds, two silvers, and one bronze.
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2023-10-02
