Athletics: Flying Man Returns! Wu Yen-han Breaks Pole Vault National Record Again, Boosting Asian Games Confidence

Wu Yen-han soared to a new national record in the men's pole vault at the New Taipei City International Athletics Open, clearing 5.51 meters to claim the gold medal. This achievement marks a significant boost for the 21-year-old athlete as he gears up for the Asian Games in Nagoya this September.

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It felt so good!

Just weeks after setting a previous national record of 5.50 meters in March, Wu Yen-han once again surpassed his own best. He successfully cleared 5.30 meters before directly challenging 5.51 meters, ultimately achieving the feat on his third attempt. "It felt so good!" Wu Yen-han exclaimed after his successful jump.

He attributed the success to favorable weather conditions, stating, "Fortunately, the heavens blessed us with good weather, so I didn't overthink it and just kept challenging the heights." Wu Yen-han felt his form was strong after clearing 5.30 meters, which motivated him to aim for 5.51 meters. He expressed satisfaction with his final result.

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Fortunately, the heavens blessed us with good weather, so I didn't overthink it and just kept challenging the heights.

During his attempts at 5.51 meters, Wu Yen-han felt good about his second try, executing the movements well, but narrowly missed. The successful third attempt came with a sense of calm, as he focused on his technique rather than the pressure of a national record. He later attempted 5.65 meters but faced a headwind on his first try, deciding to conclude his competition there. Wu Yen-han plans to compete internationally as part of his preparation for the Asian Games.

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I didn't deliberately think about whether it was a national record, because thinking about it too much creates pressure. I just approached it with a normal mindset.