The torchbearers at the World Masters Games’ opening ceremony in Taiwan on Saturday would include baseball legend Peng Cheng-min, centenarian shuttler Lin Yu-mao and Olympic boxing gold medalist Lin Yu-ting.
The three announced on Monday by the event’s sporting committee were among the five torchbearers set to appear at the ceremony, with the other two to be announced “in due course.”
The torchbearers would play a key role in conveying the event’s motto, which is “sports beyond age and life without limits,” the Games’ organizing committee said in a news release.
Photo: Walid Berrazeg, AFP
The three people named were chosen to carry the torch, because they each embodied one of the following values — sports, youth, technology, culture and inclusion, the committee said.
Symbolizing “sports,” Peng is a former star player for the CTBC Brothers in Taiwan’s professional baseball league.
Known for his consistency at the plate and strong leadership, he was beloved by fans and played for Taiwan in numerous international competitions, the committee said.
Lin Yu-ting, who won gold in the 57kg division of women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics last year, symbolizes “youth.”
Meanwhile, Lin Yu-mao is a great representation of “inclusion,” the committee said.
It said the 104-year-old athlete, the Guinness World Records-certified oldest badminton player, was interested in other sports when he was younger, including track and field, and volleyball.
He turned to playing badminton at the age of 50, it said.
Lin Yu-mao was quoted in the news release as saying that he especially enjoys the thrill of smashing the shuttlecock and getting applause from the crowd.
The World Masters Games in Taipei and New Taipei City is being held from Saturday to May 31.
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