ASIAN GAMES/Taiwan's Kuo wins Asian Games esports bronze in Puyo Puyo Champions

Nagoya, Sept. 26 (CNA) Taiwan's Kuo Tzu-ang (郭子昂) won bronze in Puyo Puyo Champions at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday, a result he hopes will bring more attention to Taiwanese players.

Kuo lost 10-3 to South Korea's Kang Dongshin in the semifinals. Kang went on to take silver after losing 10-2 to Japan's Yuki Kurihara in the gold medal match.

It was Taiwan's second esports bronze at this year's Games.

The 32-year-old told CNA he had never imagined becoming an Asian Games athlete, although he had long hoped players elsewhere would recognize Taiwanese competitors' skills at the puzzle game.

Kuo holds a master's degree in mathematics from National Taiwan University (NTU) and worked as a software engineer for four to five years before leaving the job four years ago to pursue other goals.

He is now taking courses in NTU's Department of Physics and the philosophy department at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University.

With an Asian Games medal to his name, Kuo said he hopes to continue promoting Puyo Puyo Champions and help strengthen Taiwan's player community.

He also defended esports' place at the Asian Games.

Competitive games, Kuo said, require considerable skill and can inspire spectators in much the same way as traditional sports.

As of press time, Taiwan had won two gold, five silver and 17 bronze medals at the Games.