INTERVIEW/Motherland reborn: Taiwanese-Swedish gymnast Tonya Paulsson eyes 2028 Olympics

By Li Chien-chung and Chao Yen-hsiang, CNA reporter and staff writer

For Taiwanese-Swedish artistic gymnast Tonya Paulsson, who joined Sweden's gymnastics national team in 2016, competing internationally is nothing new.

Her accolades include helping Team Sweden reach the podium at the Nordic Championships in 2016-2018, as well as earning a bronze medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

However, the upcoming Asian Gymnastics Championships in Jecheon, South Korea, in mid-June will mark a new chapter in her career.

For the first time, Paulsson will represent Taiwan -- her mother's homeland -- instead of Sweden, where she has lived for more than 20 years.

"In Sweden, they're known for being strict with Olympic selection. Just because you qualify doesn't mean you'll go. It's easier if you're part of their talent program ... My federation didn't nominate me, but they nominated other girls.

"I thought that was unfair because I had results at just as high a level as they did. I'm very happy for them... but I was never given the opportunity. So I asked my mom, 'Can I try to change my nationality?'" Paulsson said in a recent interview with CNA in Kaohsiung, where she was preparing for the event in South Korea.

Paulsson announced her decision to switch her nationality to Taiwan in November 2024. The move was approved by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in late February.

Paulsson received a berth in Taiwan's national team after earning her spot at the National Intercollegiate Games held from April 27 to May 1.

Gymnastics: A chance encounter

Now 21, Paulsson says artistic gymnastics is the only sport she's ever truly committed to -- and it all began by chance. When she was a child playing at a local playground, a neighbor who was a gymnastics coach noticed her exceptional flexibility and agility.

Unlike most gymnasts, who typically start training at age three or four, Paulsson was already eight. But after seeing her performance in the first class, her coach told her she had potential.

Describing herself as someone who "needs challenges," Paulsson said she's stuck with artistic gymnastics ever since as she finds the sport's mental and physical demands "challenging" but "fun."

Taiwan bo(u)nd

Paulsson often visited Taiwan during the summer vacation, never compromising her gymnastics training.

To keep up her regimen, her mother reached out to Cheng Kun-chieh (鄭焜杰), who coaches the gymnastics team at Taipei Municipal Datong High School. Cheng welcomed Paulsson to train with them -- a connection that eventually paved the way for her nationality switch.

"I want to thank him a lot because he was the one who helped me switch countries. It was a difficult process, but he made it much easier," Paulsson said, also expressing gratitude to Cheng for helping her realize her potential.

Meanwhile, Cheng has arranged for Paulsson to compete at the Asian Championships and the FISU World University Games in Germany this August, where he hopes she can win Taiwan's first-ever artistic gymnastics medal at the Games.

In-between worlds

Since moving her training to Taiwan, Paulsson said she has received more support and resources than she did in Sweden, where she did not get paid and had to take care of herself even when injured.

"Here, I just take the elevator from the sixth floor to the first floor. I don't have to worry about anything other than gymnastics."

Also, she said being surrounded by Olympic medalists at Taiwan's National Sports Training Center has been motivating.

"I think I can give more too -- when I see other people working really hard, I feel I can be like them."

Other than the training environment, Paulsson said she enjoys the convenience and warm weather in Taiwan.

Still, she admitted that switching nationalities has been "difficult."

In an interview with a Swedish sports outlet last November, Paulsson described receiving a wave of criticism -- including racist remarks -- after announcing her decision. Despite the backlash, she said her Swedish identity remains unchanged.

"I'm a Swedish citizen -- I feel more Swedish than Taiwanese and have been incredibly proud every time I've worn the Swedish flag."

What's next?

After the World University Games, Paulsson will begin a bachelor's program in civil law at the University of California, Berkeley. But her gymnastics career will continue.

"I'll be doing college gymnastics for the school and continuing to train to represent Taiwan," she said, reaffirming her commitment to the 2026 Asian Games and World Cups.

"My main goal is the 2028 Olympics."

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