TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Eddie Wang Kuan-hung (王冠閎), known as the "Taiwanese Butterfly King," will compete in his second consecutive Olympics, aiming for gold in the men's 200-meter butterfly event. Wang's journey from Taipei to the world stage showcases his dedication and the potential for Taiwan to make history in swimming.
Wang's passion for swimming began in Taipei, where he started training alongside his brother. He first met the Olympic A standard at the 2019 World Junior Championships, signaling his arrival on the international scene.
At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Wang Kuan-hung broke the national record in the 200m butterfly preliminaries with a time of 1:54.44. He advanced to the top 16 by placing second in his heat and finished 13th overall. Though he missed the top 8 finals, it was the best performance by a Taiwanese swimmer in recent years.
Wang continued his success with silver medals at the Chengdu World University Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. These victories ended Taiwan's 25-year medal drought in swimming, further solidifying his status as the "Taiwanese Butterfly King."
Looking ahead to the Paris Olympics, Wang plans to arrive a week early to acclimate and prepare for his second Olympic challenge, hoping to make history for Taiwan.
Joining Wang in Paris will be Angie Coe (韓安齊), a Taiwanese-American swimmer who will make her Olympic debut in the women's 200-meter individual medley. Coe's participation highlights the growing talent pool in Taiwanese swimming.