Vision-impaired award-winning singer bags judo gold at World Masters Games

Taipei, May 24 (CNA) Vision-impaired Taiwanese singer Ricky Hsiao (蕭煌奇) won a gold medal in judo at the 2025 Summer World Masters Games on Saturday.

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.

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.

The award-winning singer 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," Hsiao 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 on Saturday 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."

While both music and judo are his life's callings, Hsiao went on to tell reporters that competing and winning a gold medal in judo on Saturday was more nerve-wracking for him than holding a concert.

In addition to his career as a singer-songwriter and para judoka, Hsiao is also known for frequently using self-deprecating humor about his blindness.

In true fashion, Hsiao took to social media platform Threads after his gold medal win to respond to fans' congratulations.

"I am not blinded by arrogance," he wrote.