NTNU Athletes Make History at 2025 World University Games
NTNU athletes delivered standout performances at the 2025 World University Games in Germany, winning landmark medals and reaffirming Taiwan’s competitiveness on the international stage. Their achievements across taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, table tennis, and swimming highlight NTNU’s long-standing commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes.
Taekwondo: Taiwan Wins First Poomsae Gold
On July 18, NTNU students Yen-Yu Kuo (Class of 2026) and Chang-Ying Yang (Class of 2027), along with Hsin-Ya Chen from Taipei Municipal University, claimed Taiwan’s first-ever gold medal in poomsae. The trio scored 8.966 in the recognized category, tying with South Korea for the highest mark, and 8.732 in the freestyle round. Their combined average of 8.849 secured the gold.
Coach Pei-Yun Huang credited the athletes’ success to a multi-layered support system involving training, choreography, and psychological preparation. She acknowledged the backing of the National Sports Science Center and NTNU’s leadership, noting that “an athlete’s strength is built day by day.” Yang highlighted the importance of the freestyle routine and thanked alumni and coaches for crafting a performance that emphasized both cohesion and individuality. Kuo emphasized the mental challenge of international competition and praised the team’s preparation and support.
Tennis: Women’s Doubles Earns First Medal for Taiwan
Fang-An Lin (Class of 2027) and Yu-Yun Li from National Taiwan Sport University earned silver in women’s doubles, marking Chinese Taipei’s first medal at the Games. The pair advanced to the final without losing a set, defeating teams from Portugal, Germany, and Russia, before falling to Japan in three sets: 4–6, 6–4, 4–10.
Following the match, Lin thanked her coaches and support staff, as well as her doubles partner. “With her by my side, I was able to execute the strategies I had in mind,” she said. She also acknowledged the dual pressure of international competition and academics, noting that NTNU’s demanding course load makes success on both fronts especially challenging.
Lin credited coaches Dai-Chiao Lin and Cheng-Yi Hsiao, athletic trainer Huei-Ming Chai, and NTNU senior Kai-Yi Wang for their role in helping her prepare for the event. She plans to return to the professional circuit immediately and aims to compete in the 2026 Asian Games and 2027 World University Games.
Volleyball: A Rising Generation Pushes to the Quarterfinals
Seven NTNU athletes helped lead Chinese Taipei’s men’s and women’s volleyball teams to quarterfinal appearances and sixth-place finishes. On the men’s side, NTNU captain Yu-Chen Chang played a key role in group stage victories and contributed 12 points in a tight match against Australia. Teammates Yi-Kai Wen and Jun-You Li delivered consistently strong performances at the net, exemplifying the results of NTNU’s training system.
Coach Hung-Yu Huang focused on speed and stability as core tactics and praised the team’s ability to adapt under pressure. “The team showed real growth in this tournament,” he said.
The women’s team also delivered a strong showing. NTNU’s Yi-Chi Chang led the team with 29 points in a 3–1 upset over the United States. Setter Ting-Ru Chen and libero Chi-Jung Lin provided structure and leadership, while coach Yen-Min Demy Teng highlighted their real-time decision-making and communication as essential to the team’s success.
Teng also cited setter Li-Jung Chen for her complementary style and praised NTNU’s consistent pipeline of volleyball talent. “Our players’ adaptability was key in competing with stronger and taller opponents,” Deng said.
Table Tennis: Men's Team Wins Historic Gold
NTNU’s Yan-Cheng Huang (Class of 2025) and his teammates won Taiwan’s first-ever gold medal in the men’s team table tennis competition, defeating China 3–2 in a five-match thriller.
The victory was a team effort. Yi-Hsin Feng took the first match, while Cheng-Jui Kao fought hard in two appearances. Huang, competing with a shoulder injury, secured a critical third point against Zeng Beixun, a player he had never beaten before. In the deciding match, Feng returned to close out the win with a dominant final game.
Coach Yen-Hui Chu emphasized the importance of team unity. “There are no individuals in team events,” he said. “Everyone contributed.” Huang, who had returned from a recent suspension, called the win both a personal redemption and a collective triumph. “Table tennis gave me back my sense of purpose,” he said.
Swimming: Kuan-Hung Wang Takes Silver in 200m Butterfly
Kuan-Hung Eddie Wang (Class of 2024), known as “Taiwan’s Butterfly King,” claimed silver in the 200-meter butterfly with a time of 1:55.85. He finished just 0.26 seconds behind the gold medalist, earning Chinese Taipei its first swimming medal of the Games.
Despite entering the competition with an ankle injury, Wang progressed through the preliminaries and semifinals with consistent times, then delivered a powerful sprint in the final. The result added to his legacy as a five-time national collegiate champion in the event.
Coach Chih-Yung Huang called Wang a natural leader and praised his ability to perform under pressure. Wang said he was initially aiming for gold but intends to use the silver as motivation for the 2026 Asian Games. “Every setback becomes a step forward,” he said.
A University-Wide Effort
NTNU’s success at the Games reflects a broad institutional commitment to athlete development. The university provides not only elite training and competition opportunities but also academic flexibility, career counseling, and psychological support. In partnership with the Taiwan Institute of Sports Science and the Sports for All Agency, NTNU ensures its athletes have access to the tools they need to succeed on the international stage.
From early-morning training sessions to international medal ceremonies, these athletes exemplify the NTNU spirit: discipline, resilience, and pride in representing both their university and their country. NTNU congratulates all of its athletes and acknowledges the coaches, staff, and partner institutions whose collaboration made these achievements possible.