Taiwan’s Wu Ching-kuo, president of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) since 2006, was re-elected yesterday as head of the world’s governing body of mostly amateur boxing.
Wu, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1988, was unchallenged and had been widely expected to be returned as AIBA president for a third four-year term during the organization’s quadrennial congress being held in Jeju Island, South Korea.
The 131 voting delegates present at yesterday’s meeting elected Wu by unanimous consent, approving of his candidacy by applause and standing ovation.
Describing his re-election as a “touching” moment for him, Wu said that “this confidence and trust is absolutely necessary” and will allow him to execute all the work he has promised.
Recalling his campaign eight years ago, Wu said that the AIBA was faced with tremendous challenges at the time and he promised to reform.
“And that has been done,” he said.
A foundation has been laid, Wu added, but a lot of work remains to be done in the next four years.
“Now I accept this confidence and trust rendered to me,” he said. “You will be assured. I will be with you all the time.”
Wu, 68, is the only Taiwanese to head an international sports organization and has also been on the 15-member IOC executive board since 2012.
Under Wu’s leadership, the AIBA has initiated reforms that included building the AIBA’s own version of professional boxing, which allows boxers to receive pay while retaining their Olympic eligibility.
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