Taiwan’s badminton team came up empty at the Rio Olympics when the nation’s No. 1, Chou Tien-chen (周天成), was knocked out yesterday by Lee Chong Wei (李宗偉) of Malaysia in the quarter-final match.
Chou, the sixth seed in the men’s singles event and considered a medal contender, fought a tough battle against the more experienced Lee, but lost 21-9, 21-15 in straight sets.
Lee advanced into the semi-final with the win, while Chou will have to make improvements and look forward to upcoming international tournaments to improve his game, and aspire for a medal in four years’ time.
Photo: AP
In weightlifting, Chen Shih-chieh (陳世杰) cried and apologized for his poor showing when he was eliminated from competition in Group B of the men’s over-105kg category.
Chen, also considered a medal contender by the media, made good with his snatch for 185kg, but failed on three tries to lift 193kg in the clean and jerk yesterday.
Following the third unsuccessful try, Chen could not hide the setback and was crying as he walked away, dejected.
Afterward, he refused interview requests by the media, only saying: “I have nothing to say,” and waved waiting journalists away.
Taiwan’s national weightlifting coaches also left the venue quickly, refusing to talk to the media.
Later, the coaches relayed the message that everyone, including Chen and themselves, were surprised by Chen’s failure to advance, and the whole weightlifting team was very disappointed.
Chen wrote on his Facebook page: “I am very sorry for all the people who supported me, that I did not do well and it was a result unworthy of Taiwan. In the crucial moment, I had failed, because I wanted to win so badly. It was a failure, for which I am unworthy to face people.”
In cycling, Taiwan’s top female cyclist, Hsiao Mei-yu (蕭美玉), raced her way to a total of 64 points in the omnium events, and ended up in 17th place.
Hsiao was inconsolable and in tears when interviewed by the media.
“I am so angry at myself for getting this result,” she said.
“There was pressure on me which I could not get rid of, and I have failed my coaches and fans to give a good performance here,” Hsiao said. “I cannot forgive myself for this, so I will talk to my coaches to review my performance when we return to Taiwan.”
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