Taiwan Powerlifter Hsieh Tsung-ting Wins Two Golds and Two Silvers at World Championships

Taiwanese powerlifting standout Hsieh Tsung-ting has once again written a brilliant chapter on the international stage. Competing for Taiwan at the 2026 World Open Equipped Powerlifting Championships held in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, Hsieh demonstrated peak competitive form and exceptional mental resilience. In the fiercely contested men's 66-kilogram category, he overcame all obstacles to secure two gold medals with an impressive deadlift of 290 kilograms and a total score of 813.5 kilograms. He also claimed silver medals in his favored disciplines of squat and bench press, hauling in a total of four medals for the day. His performance caused the Taiwanese flag to fly proudly once again at an international powerlifting venue, adding further glory to the nation's sports delegation.

The tournament in Istanbul gathered elite powerlifters from around the globe, resulting in exceptionally intense competition. Powerlifting is divided into equipped and classic divisions, with the equipped division permitting athletes to use specialized supportive gear such as squat suits, bench shirts, and deadlift briefs. This equipment provides powerful support and rebound during execution, helping athletes challenge weights far beyond natural limits. However, mastering such high-tech gear requires an extremely high technical threshold and years of adaptive training, as even a slight deviation in force application can lead to injury. Hsieh's ability to stand out in the high-intensity showdown of the equipped division tested not only his muscular strength and explosive power, but also showcased his precise command of the equipment's characteristics and his extensive international competition experience.

Throughout the day's events, Hsieh demonstrated comprehensive and stable competitive strength. In the squat and bench press items, facing strong opponents from Europe and across the world, he matched them stride for stride by lifting astonishing weights, taking home well-earned silver medals in both. The subsequent deadlift event served as the centerpiece of the competition, testing the instantaneous explosive power and posterior chain strength required to lift the barbell fully from the floor to an upright standing position. Hsieh adjusted his breathing and steadied his mindset during this discipline, successfully hoisting a massive 290 kilograms. This not only surpassed all rivals to capture the gold medal, but also propelled his overall total to 813.5 kilograms, allowing him to smoothly claim the total-score gold as well. Securing two golds and two silvers in a single event perfectly embodied the top-tier caliber of Taiwan's powerlifters internationally.

Hsieh's brilliant performance on the world stage was no fleeting flash in the pan, but the inevitable result of years of solid training and steadfast self-discipline in Taiwan. Although powerlifting in Taiwan does not receive the widespread commercial attention enjoyed by baseball or basketball, a dedicated group of athletes and coaches toil away in obscurity. Driven by their persistence and passion for strength training—and often operating under relatively constrained resources—they repeatedly bring honor to the nation at the Asian Championships and World Championships. As a standout among them, Hsieh has maintained an exceptionally high competitive state over the long term. Regardless of the challenges of advancing age or the threat of injuries, he has stayed true to his original aspiration. Through scientific training and relentless perseverance, he has carved out a prominent place in the international powerlifting community, serving as a role model for many younger generations.

The hard-earned glory of these medals and gold awards serves not only as the highest affirmation of Hsieh's personal sweat and effort, but also further enhances Taiwan's visibility and influence within the International Powerlifting Federation. Through the top-tier performances of athletes on the world stage, the global community witnesses Taiwan's solid sports development strength and its indomitable fighting spirit. As the 2026 World Open Equipped Powerlifting Championships successfully conclude, Hsieh has proven his value through the solid weight of the barbell, adding another exhilarating legendary chapter to Taiwan's sports history and inspiring more Taiwanese athletes to bravely pursue their dreams around the world.

(Source: Central News Agency)