Vision-impaired Taiwanese singer Ricky Hsiao (蕭煌奇) won a gold medal in judo at the 2025 Summer World Masters Games yesterday.
Hsiao, a four-time winner of Best Male Taiwanese Singer and a three-time recipient of Best Taiwanese Album at Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards, triumphed in the para- judo 90-kilogram weight class.
Hsiao secured the gold medal after achieving two consecutive wins at the competition, taking down opponents including Taiwanese vision-impaired bassist Kuo Chien- cheng (郭謙成) whom Hsiao professionally collaborates with in their respective music careers.
Photo: CNA
After his win, Hsiao spoke to reporters about entering the sports event with a shoulder injury, admitting he was very worried about making it worse.
Hsiao said that even his doctor advised him to withdraw from the competition, but he decided to push through because he had already signed up.
He added that he also wanted to set an example for others who enjoy sports and to remind himself that there are not many things to fear in life.
“So I felt like I had to compete,” he said, “even if I got some injuries.”
The 2025 Summer World Masters Games was not Hsiao’s first foray into an international sports event as a judoka.
The 48-year-old singer has represented Taiwan multiple times as a para-athlete throughout his life, with his most memorable achievement being a bronze medal at the 1994 FESPIC Games (Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled) held in Beijing, China.
The most prestigious competition Hsiao fought in was the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where he took seventh place for judo.
Hsiao said yesterday that both sport and music play important roles in his life.
“To me, both are very important,” Hsiao said. “Sport gives me great motivation to create good music, so winning medals in both fields makes me feel accomplished.”
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