Taiwanese-Japanese Swimmer Chang Ya-chia Wins Gold in 100m Backstroke at National Middle School Athletic Games, Thrilled to Break National Record Again
18-year-old Taiwanese-Japanese swimmer Chang Ya-chia won gold in the 100m backstroke at the National Middle School Athletic Games, breaking her own national record with a time of 1:00.95 and qualifying for the Nagoya Asian Games.
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- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 23:40
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Central News Agency (CNA) Taipei, 18th — Taiwan's new generation "Backstroke Queen" Chang Ya-chia won the gold medal in the women's 100m backstroke final at the National Middle School Athletic Games today with a time of 1:00.95, breaking her own national record. She expressed great joy at breaking through again and proving her steadily improving strength.
The 115th National Middle School Athletic Games is taking place in Chiayi. Today, the 18-year-old Taiwanese-Japanese biracial swimmer Chang Ya-chia delivered a stellar performance in the women's 100m backstroke final. Clocking in at 1:00.95, she shattered the national record she previously set, dominating the race to win gold. Not only did she qualify for the Nagoya Asian Games once again, but she also became the first female swimmer in Taiwan to break the "1-minute barrier."
Having achieved her 6th consecutive victory in the 100m backstroke at the National Middle School Athletic Games, Chang told CNA in an interview that she had never even swum such a time in training. Therefore, she was incredibly excited to make this breakthrough. She shared that she noticed a good feel for the water during the morning preliminaries, and her body felt even better in the afternoon final. "I just let go and swam. I want to improve in every competition, so I am very happy to have reached my goal."
After setting the national record in the 100m backstroke at last year's National Games, Chang continued the same training regimen, comprehensively enhancing everything from physical endurance to core strength. Coupled with increasingly stable water technique and peaking physical condition, these factors were key to rewriting the record again. "This can be considered the result of my training over the past few months, and it proves that my abilities are moving forward step by step."
Competing in her final National Middle School Athletic Games, Chang hopes to also meet the qualification standard for the 200m backstroke for the Nagoya Asian Games in September. After graduation, she plans to head to the United States to challenge herself, attending the University of Michigan, a traditional powerhouse in the NCAA Division 1. Her goal is to continue making breakthroughs stimulated by a new environment. "By going to the US, I can study and be an athlete at the same time; I don't have to give up my academics."
(Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150418
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The 115th National Middle School Athletic Games is taking place in Chiayi. Today, the 18-year-old Taiwanese-Japanese biracial swimmer Chang Ya-chia delivered a stellar performance in the women's 100m backstroke final. Clocking in at 1:00.95, she shattered the national record she previously set, dominating the race to win gold. Not only did she qualify for the Nagoya Asian Games once again, but she also became the first female swimmer in Taiwan to break the "1-minute barrier."
Having achieved her 6th consecutive victory in the 100m backstroke at the National Middle School Athletic Games, Chang told CNA in an interview that she had never even swum such a time in training. Therefore, she was incredibly excited to make this breakthrough. She shared that she noticed a good feel for the water during the morning preliminaries, and her body felt even better in the afternoon final. "I just let go and swam. I want to improve in every competition, so I am very happy to have reached my goal."
After setting the national record in the 100m backstroke at last year's National Games, Chang continued the same training regimen, comprehensively enhancing everything from physical endurance to core strength. Coupled with increasingly stable water technique and peaking physical condition, these factors were key to rewriting the record again. "This can be considered the result of my training over the past few months, and it proves that my abilities are moving forward step by step."
Competing in her final National Middle School Athletic Games, Chang hopes to also meet the qualification standard for the 200m backstroke for the Nagoya Asian Games in September. After graduation, she plans to head to the United States to challenge herself, attending the University of Michigan, a traditional powerhouse in the NCAA Division 1. Her goal is to continue making breakthroughs stimulated by a new environment. "By going to the US, I can study and be an athlete at the same time; I don't have to give up my academics."
(Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150418
Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.