Lin Yu-xin wins gold in 1500m at National Middle School Athletic Games, setting Kinmen's best record

Chiayi, April 21 (CNA) -- Lin Yu-xin from Lieyu Junior High School in Kinmen won gold in the junior high boys' 1500m track and field event at this year's National Middle School Athletic Games. His coach, Hsu Chung-yu, stated that despite the hot weather, Lin performed exceptionally well. This victory marks the first-ever gold medal in the junior high division for Kinmen in the history of the Games.

Events for the Year 115 National Middle School Athletic Games have been taking place recently in Chiayi County. In the junior high boys' 1500m final held yesterday, Lin Yu-xin secured the gold medal with a time of 4 minutes and 08.43 seconds. This is Kinmen County's first track and field gold medal at this year's event.

In a telephone interview with CNA today, Lin mentioned that he made a tactical error during the race by accelerating too early, which almost allowed competitors to catch up near the end. Nevertheless, he expressed great joy in winning this gold medal.

Lin shared that since his second year of junior high, he has been traveling to Jinning Joint Elementary and Junior High School to train alongside their track athletes. This competitive environment significantly improved his performance. Since Kinmen lacks dedicated sports classes and training time is shorter compared to athletes in Taiwan proper, "we want to push ourselves even harder." He expressed gratitude for the support from his coaches, schools, parent associations, alumni associations, and his mother, who attends every competition. He promised to keep striving on his track and field journey and to continue winning glory for Kinmen.

Lieyu Junior High coach Wang Jao-tzu noted that she recognized Lin's potential in long-distance running during his elementary school years and advised him to pursue track and field. During his first year of junior high, she took him to Taiwan for three weeks of off-site training, followed by participation in the Spring Cup that year. Although he didn't reach the finals, he recorded the best time among all first-year junior high students in Taiwan at the time.

Wang stated that later, because junior high athletes from across Kinmen gathered for training at Kinmen Senior High School, they met Coach Hsu Chung-yu, who specializes in middle and long-distance running and teaches at Jinning. At Hsu's invitation, Lin began commuting between Lieyu and Jinning for joint training.

Hsu mentioned that Lin's personal best in the 1500m is actually 4 minutes and 06.79 seconds, set at the Year 114 National Games. He emphasized that this recent gold is Kinmen's first ever in the junior high division of the National Middle School Athletic Games. Hsu also noted that Chuang Yun-hsiang, a student from Jinning's junior high division, secured fourth place this time with a performance that has already surpassed Lin's at the same age, indicating a promising future.

Hsu pointed out that Kinmen's recent improvements in track and field are mainly due to the involvement of more grassroots coaches. For example, for the upcoming National Elementary School Athletic Games, extensive training is underway, bringing together athletes from all local elementary schools. He hopes for more funding in the future to help athletes achieve even better results.