Shortly after the 25th Tokyo Deaflympics commenced this past Saturday, Taiwan’s team claimed its first medal. Eighteen-year-old decathlon newcomer Wei Yu-tse (危宇澤) won silver with a score of 5,985 points.

The achievement marks not only Taiwan’s first medal at this edition of the games, but also the country’s first Deaflympics decathlon medal in 16 years. Legendary athlete An Ching-lung (安慶隆) — who won gold, silver, and bronze medals in the decathlon event between 2001 and 2009 — attended as a coach, symbolizing the long-term development and generational succession of Taiwan’s deaf athletics program.

Wei, a Hsinchu native, was coached by Chen Ying-chi (陳穎祈), a former decathlete and contemporary of An’s. While An provided his extensive Deaflympics experience, Chen offered technical guidance, helping Wei secure his first Deaflympics medal and laying a foundation for his transition from youth to adult international competition.

Wei has achieved impressive results over the course of his competitive career. In 2024, he won gold in long jump and silver in the 100-meter race at the inaugural World Deaf Youth Games; he also won gold in long jump at the World Deaf Athletics Championships. The Sports Ministry and Chinese Taipei Deaf Sports Federation sponsored his decathlon training.