TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's taekwondo fighter Chin I-chun (金怡君) claimed silver in the women's over-73 kg division at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany Tuesday (July 22), Taiwan time. The fierce competitor faced South Korea's Song Dabin (宋多彬) in the championship bout, falling 0-2 in a hard-fought final. Chin's medal represents a significant achievement for Taiwan's martial arts program at the international collegiate competition.
Chin's path to the championship match started with a first-round bye, then demonstrated her explosive speed and tactical strength through two decisive victories. Her commanding performances guaranteed Taiwan would claim a medal in the competitive division. The semifinal showdown against Poland's Dagmara Haremza proved dramatic, with Chin mounting a thrilling 2-1 comeback to secure her spot in the gold medal bout.
Song overwhelmed Chin's defensive strategy with dominant 8-0 and 4-1 victories, relegating the Taiwanese fighter to silver medal honors. Fellow Taiwan competitor Chiu Yi-jui (邱義睿) captured bronze in the men's 74 kg division after moving up from his usual 68 kg weight class. Chiu's semifinal clash against Georgia's Zurab Kintsurashvili ended his gold medal aspirations, though he secured a podium finish for Taiwan.
The dual medal performances by Chin and Chiu bolstered Taiwan's overall standings while showcasing the island nation's formidable taekwondo program on the world stage. Taiwan's martial arts athletes continue pursuing additional medals as the multi-sport competition progresses in Germany. Their achievements underscore Taiwan's growing reputation as a taekwondo powerhouse in international collegiate athletics, inspiring future generations of fighters. ◼