Yapa Games" passed the low point after injury and completed two consecutive championships. Xiao Xiangwen: This gold gave me a lot of confidence

Xiao Xiangwen won the gold medal. (Provided by the Athletic Department)

[Reporter Nian Miaoyun/Reporting from Taipei] Xiao Xiangwen, the gold medalist of the last Asia Pacific Games in Hangzhou, defeated Uzbek player Valyonov 2:0 in the men’s K44 58kg taekwondo gold medal match at the Asia Pacific Games in Nagoya today, completing his second consecutive championship. At the same time, this was the first medal and gold medal for the Taiwanese delegation this year.

"I actually didn't think I might win the gold medal at first, but after I worked my way up step by step, I told myself that I have this ability, and I have strong backing and resources. I'm really happy." After Xiao Xiangwen was confirmed to win the gold medal, he took the flag prepared by coach Wu Yanni, and the two held the flag together to celebrate the victory. He said, "I can perform so well in large part because of the coach. I am really grateful to the coach."

Xiao Xiangwen suffered an injury in April this year and was unable to train normally for two months. His performance in the competition before the Asia Pacific Games was not ideal, and he had doubts about his way to defend his title. However, the mutual trust between him and his coach helped him get out of the gloom. He said: "The coach kept telling me not to think too much. During the training process, you will think about it. Because of your high self-requirements, you feel that nothing is wrong. If you can't figure it out, you go to the coach. The communication from the coach gradually opened up your confusion."

The road to defending the title in this Asia Pacific Games seems to be going smoothly. Xiao Xiangwen revealed that it was the coach sitting behind him who kept reminding him that he could maintain the rhythm. He said: "Because the coach is a third party watching the game, she watches the opponent's movements and gives the most needed instructions at the moment, so that I will not let my opponent seize the opportunity."

Watching Xiao Xiangwen overcome the injury and reach the top again, Wu Yanni emphasized that her disciple Yapa was actually under a lot of psychological pressure before the Games, but he gradually regained his rhythm and condition before the game. She said: "He was really under great pressure in this game! Encourage him before the game and let his expertise come into play. The injury had a great impact on him. Fortunately, the recovery of his skills and physical fitness at this stage was brought back by the Yapa Games."

Regarding the Los Angeles Parnassus two years later, both master and apprentice felt more confident because of the Asian Parnassian gold medal. Wu Yanni said: "The Asian Parás was a very important testing point for him, and he did well. The next step is to adjust him to the state before the injury to face subsequent events."

Xiao Xiangwen emphasized that after two Asian Games gold medals, this one is even more meaningful, symbolizing that his efforts have not been in vain. He said: "This gold medal gave me a lot of confidence, because the previous defeat made me feel very depressed and even gave up on training. But I worked hard to win this gold medal, which gave me more confidence to face the next competition and let myself transform."