TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's recent success in Olympic boxing, securing one gold and two bronze medals, has sparked a nationwide boxing craze. Boxing coach Li I-hung (李奕宏) observed that boxing is no longer a male-dominated sport, with over 50% of new enrollees now being women.
With Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) becoming Taiwan's first-ever boxing gold medalist, interest also increased across the country.
Li attributed the growing interest among women to the influence of social media. He observed that whenever a gold medalist emerges, it draws more attention to the sport, creating a trend.
Li, who has been a combat sports coach for 16 years, noted that the sport has gained popularity over the past five years, leading to the opening of more training facilities.
He further shared that early inquiries about boxing classes mainly came from men. However, he noted that new boxing gyms with stylish, and even nightclub-like decor have successfully attracted many female students.
The shift in the sports industry towards specialization, such as weightlifting, boxing, and table tennis, has also influenced public perception. Li pointed out that people now believe in not just exercising but also becoming proficient in a specific sport.
Currently, boxing gym fees range from NT$500 to NT$800 per hour, with smaller classes costing more. Some gyms also offer a monthly fee structure, ranging from NT$3,500 to NT$4,000. As the trend continues, more specialized sports facilities may emerge, catering to the growing demand for focused athletic training.