OLYMPICS/Yang Yung-wei makes history, wins silver at World Judo Championships
![File photo courtesy of Multiply Marketing](https://imgcdn.cna.com.tw/Eng/WebEngPhotos/800/2024/20240520/2000x2667_002685436397.jpg)
Taipei, May 20 (CNA) Yang Yung-wei (楊勇緯) achieved a new milestone Sunday by securing the best performance ever by a Taiwanese judoka at the World Judo Championships, finishing second in the men's under-60-kilogram weight class.
Taiwan's previous best at the world championships was a bronze medal, won by Chou Yu-ping (周育萍) in the women's under-48 kg weight class in 1987 and matched by Yang in 2022.
Yang was also Taiwan's first judoka to win a silver medal at an Olympic Games, accomplishing the feat in Tokyo in 2021.
He is hoping for more this year in Paris, and his performance at the world championships in Abu Dhabi, the final event before the end of the Olympic qualification period on June 23, cemented his top ranking in the weight class, giving him the top seed in Paris.
Despite rewriting history and securing his ranking in the United Arab Emirates, however, Yang felt there was more work to be done.
"A record is just a record. I just want to get better, so I won't feel content with this," Yang said after the competition. "It was a bit tough to compete in two competitions in a short period, but it also gave me a good chance to prepare [for the Olympics]."
On May 10, Yang took second in his weight class at the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam after being defeated in the final bout by Ramazan Abdulaev of Russia.
Facing off against world No. 8 Giorgi Sardalashvili in Sunday's final, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist from Taiwan and the young Georgian phenom stood neck and neck during the four-minute regulation round.
The two then went into sudden-death, and it was not until 200 seconds into the extra period that the 20-year-old Georgian prevailed with a waza-ari, giving him a 2-1 head-to-head advantage against the 26-year-old Yang.
Yang will travel to Japan for the last leg of his overseas training before returning to Taiwan to prepare for the Paris Olympics.
- Taiwanese textile maker expects boost from Paris Olympics' carbon goalsA Taiwanese textile company said Sunday that the 2024 Paris Olympics' aim of halving the Games' carbon footprint compared with previous editions is expected to boost business.07/21/2024 05:15 PM
- Taiwan confirms Olympic team rosterThe make up of the team to represent Taiwan at the upcoming Olympic Games has been confirmed by the Sports Administration, with a total of 60 athletes set to vie for glory in Paris.07/09/2024 09:46 PM
- Lai presents Olympic flag, urges athletes to strive for medalsPresident Lai Ching-te (賴清德) handed over the Olympic flag to the national team of Taiwan and awarded it a bonus of NT$200,000 (US$6,147) at a ceremony in Kaohsiung on Tuesday, weeks ahead of the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris, France.07/09/2024 04:21 PM
- Society
Schools, offices in some towns, districts to close Saturday
07/26/2024 10:51 PM - Society
Magnitude 4.6 earthquake shakes Pingtung
07/26/2024 10:30 PM - Politics
Mayor, lawmaker convicted of corruption face different outcomes
07/26/2024 10:02 PM - Society
Typhoon Gaemi causes 8 deaths, 866 injuries as of Friday night
07/26/2024 09:58 PM - Politics
Taichung mayor to resume U.S. trip after typhoon
07/26/2024 09:57 PM