TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese artistic gymnast Tang Chia-hung (唐嘉鴻), known as the King of Cats, suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a gymnastics test, according to a post released on Facebook on Monday (Feb. 20).
Tang usually trains at the National Taiwan Normal University but was called to the National Sports Training Center on Feb. 16 to perform his routine.
Tang suffered an Achilles tendon rupture in his left foot during the warm-up. He underwent emergency surgery the next day. However, his recovery could take up to six months.
Tang has blamed the Taiwan Sports Administration for the decision. But they replied that it was all part of training. He was supposed to travel to Germany for the 2023 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series on Feb. 18.
His injury will prevent him from competing in the World Cup, the Asian Games, and maybe even the FISU World University Games.
Tang finished seventh in the men's all-around at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, breaking the record for Taiwanese athletes in that category. He also won second place in the 2022 World Challenge Cup Series floor exercise.