《TAIPEI TIMES》 Taiwan’s Chu Pin-hsun wins gold in javelin in China

From left, Japan’s Aoi Murakami, Taiwan’s Chu Pin-hsun and China’s Zhang Xidan fly flags at the medal ceremony for the women’s javelin final at the Asian U23 Track and Field Championships in Ordos, China, on Friday. Photo courtesy of the Chinese Taipei Track and Field Association

/ Staff writer, with CNA Taiwan’s Chu Pin-hsun on Friday won gold in the women’s javelin at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships in China, setting a personal best with a throw of 57.31m.

The 21-year-old Chu, regarded as one of Taiwan’s most promising female javelin throwers, led the field after four attempts before passing on her fifth and unleashing a personal-best throw on her sixth and final attempt.

China’s Zhang Xidan and Japan’s Aoi Murakami took the silver and bronze medals with best throws of 54.59m and 54.40m respectively.

In a show of her dominance in the event, all five of Chu’s throws, ranging from 54.62m to 57.31m, were better than the best throws of her six competitors.

However, her winning distance fell just short of Taiwan’s national women’s javelin record of 57.66m set by Li Hui-jun in March.

Chu’s coach Hsueh Sheng-jung praised her dedication to training, which has focused on improving her physical conditioning.

In March, Chu secured qualification for the Asian Games, to be held in Nagoya, Japan, in September, after recording a 57.24m throw at a youth athletics competition in New Taipei City, surpassing the Asian Games qualifying standard of 56.80m.

The entry standard for the women’s javelin at the 2024 Olympics was 64m.

The Nagoya event is to mark her second appearance at the Asian Games.

Hsueh said Chu’s main area for improvement is her explosive power, which is crucial for transferring strength through the throwing motion.

Training will focus on refining her technique while improving her muscular endurance and strength, he said.

The Asian U23 Athletics Championships are being held in Ordos City through today.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES