Taiwan Dominates Women’s Marathon at World Speed Skating Championships

Taiwan achieved a remarkable feat at the World Speed Skating Championships held in Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, by securing the top four positions in the women’s marathon. Liu Yi-hsuan led the charge, clinching the gold medal with a time of one hour, eight minutes, and 52.844 seconds. Following closely behind were Shih Pei-yu with the silver medal and Li Meng-chu taking bronze, while Li Chiao-jung finished in fourth place.

The championships, which took place from September 13 to 21, 2023, showcased the skills and determination of Taiwan’s speed skaters. Coach Wang Po-fu expressed his confidence in Liu, a former world marathon champion, yet he acknowledged the surprise of having all four skaters from Taiwan on the podium.

To optimize their performance, the team employed a strategy of skating in formation and taking turns at the front to reduce wind resistance. Liu made her decisive move in the final 1,000 meters, creating a gap that her competitors could not close. This victory adds to Liu’s impressive resume, which includes a previous gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The success of the Taiwanese team did not end with the women’s marathon. Earlier in the championships, Kuo Li-yang secured a gold medal in the men’s 200-meter event, contributing to Taiwan’s overall medal tally of two gold, six silver, and five bronze medals.

This exceptional performance not only highlights the talent emerging from Taiwan but also emphasizes the country’s growing prominence in the world of speed skating. The athletes’ dedication and the strategic guidance from their coaches have set a strong precedent for future competitions.