Asian Games Soft Tennis: Chiang Min-yu Aims for Gold, Cites Slice Serve as Key Advantage

Taiwanese soft tennis player Chiang Min-yu is setting her sights on a gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, her first major international competition. Coach Fang Tung-hsien has identified her as a strong contender for the top prize.

Chiang, who began playing soft tennis in elementary school inspired by her brother, has a proven track record, including a bronze medal at the World Cup and a gold at the previous National Games. Coach Fang highlights her exceptional left-handed slice serve as a decisive weapon on the court, noting her confident and decisive shot-making.

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The goal is of course to win gold, I hope to have no regrets.

Becoming an Asian Games representative was not an easy journey for Chiang. She endured two years of intensive training, facing difficulties with doubles partnerships and inconsistent individual performance. Despite these setbacks, she persevered and ultimately won her place on the national team, an achievement that left her deeply moved.

While acknowledging the pressure that comes with being a medal hopeful, Chiang feels her current form is good. She hopes to deliver her best performance at the Games. However, she anticipates that the high temperatures in Nagoya will be a significant challenge, recalling training sessions reaching 40 degrees Celsius. She plans to be well-prepared with cooling gear, including vests and ice packs, to cope with the heat.

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When I knew I won, I felt like crying but couldn't. Because in the moment of being selected, I was quite moved, and felt all the previous efforts were worth it.