Mingde High School Archers Strike Gold in Debut at National Games

In a remarkable display of talent and dedication, three young archers from Mingde High School in New Taipei City have clinched the gold medal in the men's recurve archery team event at the National High School Athletic Games. This triumphant victory marks a significant achievement for Chen Yan-ting, Jian Yi-lun, and Luo Ming-shou, who were competing in the prestigious games for the very first time. Their unexpected win has brought immense joy and surprise to their coaching staff, underscoring the potential of these emerging athletes.

“

The three young archers, Jian Yi-lun (left), Chen Yan-ting (center), and Luo Ming-shou (right), successfully won the gold medal in the men's recurve archery team event in their first competition.

Mingde High School is renowned for its strong archery program, having nurtured several Olympians and national team members. However, the path to this gold medal was not without its challenges. Chen, Luo, and Jian had only recently solidified their positions as a team and had not previously achieved podium finishes in major competitions like the Youth Cup and President Cup. Their lack of extensive competition experience was a concern for the coaching team, who initially aimed for a top-three finish.

“

The coaching team was pleasantly surprised when these three young athletes brought home a gold medal in their first appearance at the National High School Athletic Games.

The young archers' journey to the top was paved with rigorous training and strategic preparation. They demonstrated impressive performance, securing victories with scores of 5:1 against Tainan Tucheng High School and Taitung County Dongda Sports High School, followed by a decisive 6:0 win over Taipei Beian Junior High School. The final match against Tzu Chiang Junior High School was a nail-biting contest, ending in a 4:4 tie, with the Mingde team ultimately clinching the gold medal through a thrilling shoot-off.

“

The key was not having too much big competition experience; the coaching team's goal for this National High School Athletic Games was to first challenge for the top 3, but unexpectedly, they made a stunning debut.

Coach Lin Fang-yu highlighted the crucial role of simulated competition environments in their success. During the April holiday, the school created a finals-like atmosphere, complete with the games' anthem, to help the athletes acclimatize to the pressure. They practiced various scenarios, including shoot-offs, and benefited from invaluable experience-sharing sessions with their senior teammates. This holistic approach not only honed their skills but also bolstered their confidence, proving that with the right support and dedication, even first-time competitors can achieve extraordinary results.

“

The three athletes, Chen Yan-ting and Luo Ming-shou in their third year of junior high, and Jian Yi-lun in their second year, lost in previous national competitions due to inexperience. However, through the Youth Cup and President Cup, although they stopped at the quarterfinals, their stability improved through the experience of these two major competitions.