TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuo Hsing-chun (郭婞淳), Taiwan's weightlifting star, is battling a back injury as she prepares for the Paris Olympics. Kuo, who won her first Olympic gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, aims to compete in her fourth Olympics despite the challenges.
Kuo clinched a bronze medal in the women's 59kg category at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 despite her injury. She hopes to fully recover and enjoy what might be her last Olympic appearance, aiming to perform her best both physically and mentally.
Chen Wen-huei, who won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, will compete in the women's 64kg category in Paris. This year, she set national records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total weight categories. Chen aims to improve further during the final preparation period and hopes to secure a podium finish in consecutive Olympics.
Since the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Taiwan's weightlifting team has consistently secured medals. In the Paris Olympics, Kuo will lead Chen Wen-huei (陳玟卉) and Fang Wan-ling (方莞靈) in an attempt to extend Taiwan's medal streak to five consecutive Olympics.
Taiwan's weightlifting achievements include four gold, two silver, and four bronze medals. Notable performances include Chen Wei-ling (陳葦綾) winning gold and Lu Ying-chi (盧映錡) securing silver in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Hsu Shu-ching (許淑淨) earned a silver at the 2012 London Olympics and later became Taiwan's only double Olympic gold medalist after winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
As the Paris Olympics approach, all Taiwanese athletes are gearing up for the final sprint, hoping to overcome all challenges and realize their dreams.