“Taiwan Pioneers,” a team of Taiwanese firefighters, made history at the biennial World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) in Birmingham, Alabama, winning one gold, one silver and one bronze medal in the demanding Ultimate Firefighter team category.
While the Taiwan team so far has netted fourteen medals overall, one of the most notable wins was in the “Ultimate Firefighter” competition held on June 28 and 29.
Participants in the category must complete a series of strenuous tasks while fully equipped, including running with two 20-meter hose lines on their shoulders and an air cylinder on their backs. They also carry hose rolls, climb a tower with weights and drag a 79-kilogram dummy across a 15-meter stretch while walking backward.
The team won gold in the men’s over-35 bracket, bronze in the men’s over-18 bracket and silver in the women’s over-18 bracket.
Notably, it was the first time any female Taiwanese firefighters had won a medal in an international firefighting competition, the Taiwan Pioneers said in a social media post.
Tom Lu (盧韋綱), head coach of the Taiwan Pioneers, said the team reached another milestone by defeating the Czech Republic in the men’s over-35 bracket to win gold.
“The Czech Republic has long been a dominant force in firefighter competitions worldwide, and their strength has always been a benchmark we strive to reach,” he told CNA on Wednesday.
“That’s why defeating them in this competition brought us great joy and affirmed that our training is headed in the right direction,” said Lu, who works at the Taoyuan Fire Department.
Lu said the toughest part of preparing for the games was balancing work, family and training.
Meanwhile, Chiang Yu-ting (江語庭), who works for the Taichung City Fire Bureau, described the competition as an “eye-opening” experience, especially for the women in the team.
“The equipment used at the venue during the individual events was noticeably different from what we usually train with, which disrupted our tactics and threw off our physical pacing, ultimately affecting our performance,” she told CNA.
“Although there were some setbacks, they helped us realize that firefighting competitions are not just about physical strength and technique -- they also test adaptability and the ability to respond under pressure,” Chiang said.
“Those early mistakes became valuable lessons that allowed us to make adjustments going into the team event, where we ended up performing better than expected.”
Chiang said the team’s success was a testament to their hard work and, more importantly, showcased Taiwan’s strength and passion for sports.
She expressed hope that Taiwanese athletes will continue building friendships and gaining support at international sporting events.
Lu added that the team’s medal wins sent a message to the world: Taiwan is a strong competitor.
He said the achievement could spark broader interest in Taiwan and inspire more people to learn about the country and its ongoing efforts for international recognition and participation.
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