NTNU Athletes Claim Five Golds at Chengdu World Games
The 2025 Chengdu World Games proved to be a stage of glory for NTNU, as current students and alumni from the Department of Sport and Kinesiology and the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences delivered outstanding international performances. Collectively, NTNU athletes helped secure gold medals in Powerlifting, Speed Slalom, Korfball, and Tug-of-War, as well as a silver in Fin Swimming, showcasing NTNU’s world-class training environment and the indomitable spirit of its student-athletes.
Kai-Chieh Chiang: Golden Comeback in Powerlifting
Alumnus Kai-Chieh Chiang (Class of 2011, Department of Sport and Kinesiology), represented Taiwan in the Men's Equipped Middleweight Powerlifting division. In the finals, he achieved a squat of 352.5 kg, bench press of 227.5 kg, and a crucial deadlift of 342.5 kg, totaling 922.5 kg. Despite ranking fifth after the squat and bench press stages, Chiang made a dramatic comeback in the deadlift to seize the gold medal—his first at the World Games.
Professor Jen-Yu Ho, Chair of the Department of Sport and Kinesiology, praised Chiang’s successful transition from weightlifting to powerlifting as “a model of perseverance and determination” for NTNU students. Chiang credited his coach Siao-Li Hsu, his teammates, sponsors, and above all his family, for making his golden debut possible: “Without your full support, I could not have shouldered this honor alone.”
Chiao-Hsi Liu: Speed Slalom Champion in Debut Appearance
Chiao-Hsi Liu, Class of 2026 in the Department of Sport and Kinesiology, captured gold in Women’s Freestyle Skating Speed Slalom, a newly added World Games event. Competing with extraordinary composure, she defeated China’s Zhu Siyi in straight sets to secure victory.
Chiao-Hsi, a former youth prodigy who previously struck gold at the 2022 World Roller Games and the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, described this as her “most precious medal” to date. Despite the lack of an official Speed Slalom venue on campus, NTNU provided her with a converted outdoor training space. Chair Jen-Yu Ho emphasized that Chiao-Hsi exemplifies the department’s mission of cultivating students who excel “both in academics and athletics.”
The College of Sports and Recreation continues to internationalize training by offering language and professional development courses through the Elite Athletes College, ensuring that athletes like Chiao-Hsi can succeed both on and off the field.
Korfball: NTNU Players Lead Taiwan to Gold and Bronze
Korfball, known for its mixed-gender format and emphasis on equality, became another NTNU highlight. Multiple students from the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences represented the Chinese Taipei National Korfball Team in three events:
• At the IKF U21 Asia-Oceania Korfball Championships, students Kai-chieh Lo, Yu-Chun Kao, Tai-Ting Ko, and Chen-Wei Chang helped Chinese Taipei secure the championship for the second consecutive time.
• At the World Games Indoor Korfball event, six NTNU athletes contributed to the national team’s bronze medal victory over the Czech Republic. In addition to Han Chan and En-Shao Chiu, the team also included Shu-Chi Chang, Ya-hui Cho, Kay Lo, and Jack Hsu.
• In the Beach Korfball Mixed Team debut, graduate student Jia-Chuan Chang played a key role in Taiwan’s dramatic upset victory over defending powerhouse Netherlands, clinching gold with last-second long shots. His teammate Ying-Ting Huang hit the game-winning two-point shot with just three seconds remaining.
Professor Yu-Kai Chang, Chair of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, lauded NTNU athletes for proving once again their ability to compete at the highest international level.
Tug-of-War: Six Consecutive World Games Titles
The Taiwan Women’s Tug-of-War Team, composed entirely of NTNU Physical Education and Sports Sciences students and alumni alongside athletes from Jingmei Girls High School, sealed their place in history. In the Women’s 500 kg competition, they went undefeated in seven matches to win Taiwan’s first gold of the Games. This marks their sixth consecutive World Games title since 2005.
Led by Professor Shao-Hsi Chang, team leader and faculty member in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, and alumnus Coach Sheng Kuo, the team once again demonstrated their discipline, endurance, and resilience, competing fiercely even in heavy rain. Chair Yu-Kai Chang underscored NTNU’s pride: “All nine athletes are NTNU-trained. They showed the world the strength of Taiwan.”
Among the athletes were team captain Chia-Jung Tien, as well as Chia-Hsin Tien, Ting-Yu Lai, Wen-Lin Ko, Meng-Zhu Lin, Yi-Jia Lu, Ning-Hsuan Hung, Yueh-Ting Chen, and alternate Yi-Chin Lee.
Mei-Chien Huang: Silver Medal in Fin Swimming
Rounding out NTNU’s stellar performances, Mei-Chien Huang, Ph.D. student in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, won silver in the Women’s Bi-fin 50m with a time of 21.33 seconds and placed fourth in the 100m, setting a new Taiwan national record.
A former national swimming record holder in freestyle and butterfly, Huang successfully transitioned to Fin Swimming, where she has already won medals at the Asian Championships and World Championships. Competing against her idol, Hungary’s world champion Petra Senanszky, Huang called her silver medal “a beautiful win” and expressed gratitude to her coaches, the Sports Administration, and her medical-support team.
Beyond her own athletic career, Huang also serves as a coach at National Taiwan University, mentoring emerging athletes. She emphasized her mission to pass on experience and inspire the next generation of swimmers.
From the NTNU Campus to the Global Podium
From the weight room to the skating rink, from the sand courts of Korfball to the rain-soaked tug-of-war rope in Chengdu, NTNU athletes continue to embody perseverance, professionalism, and pride. Their victories reflect both individual dedication and the university’s holistic support system, combining academic programs, training facilities, and international outlook to prepare athletes for success.
With every medal and milestone, NTNU student-athletes are not only bringing honor to Taiwan but also demonstrating the university’s role as a crucial cradle of global sports talent.