"AFC Champions League" failed the draft twice and considered leaving baseball. The "older rookie" surprisingly resisted Japan and was praised by the Taiwanese coach.

Gao Weiqiang. (File photo)

[Special Correspondent Gong Naijie/Reporting from Tokyo, Japan] The Taiwanese team in the AFC Champions League was shutout by the Japanese team 0:5 yesterday. Head coach Gao Zhigang still particularly praised the three bullpen pitchers Gao Weiqiang, Li Jun and Lu Mengyang for their good pitching. "They stepped on the brakes when they came on the field. This is very important, but they were unable to break through the opponent's pitcher. This is a pity. If they could put more pressure on the opponent, the situation might be different."

Among them, Gao Weiqiang relayed 1.1 innings, and although he allowed 3 hits, he became the only pitcher in the game who did not allow a score against the Japanese team. He played for Taipei Xingfufa from 2022 to 25, and failed to participate in the draft in 2022-23, but there is no draft record in 2024. He once revealed: "I had just finished serving in the army at that time. I wanted to focus on my amateur development first, and I was not sure if I would have the opportunity to play professional baseball in the future."

Gao Weiqiang has not thought about the possibility of changing careers. Due to the regulations of amateur baseball, he must leave the army first and take another exam after retirement before he has a chance to enter again. "After serving as a soldier for four months, my original goal was to return to Xingfufa. If I didn't, I might consider leaving baseball."

Later, Gao Weiqiang not only returned to Xingfufa, but was also selected sixth by the Unified Lions in the 2025 draft. He passed the draft three times and finally entered the professional baseball hall. Before the selection, Gao Weiqiang originally did not say that he must be on the list. After all, he was selected three times. If he was not selected, he would continue to work hard in the amateurs. Unexpectedly, he not only made the list, but also got a taste of the national team this year. He did not lose any points in his first appearance at the Tokyo Dome, leaving behind good memories.