Image reproduced from 中視新聞

The Taiwanese women's basketball team is ready to make a strong comeback at the Universiade in Germany, aiming to return to the podium. Under the guidance of coach Lin Chi-wen from Shih Hsin University, the squad is filled with talented players including captain Huang Ching-yu, Li Yi-hua, and Sung Rui-chen, alongside potential rising stars like mixed-race players Hong Pei-wen and Mi Jing-en, who have developed in the NCAA collegiate league in the United States. They will face formidable opponents in the preliminary rounds, including the strong American, German, and Polish teams.

To enhance their competitive edge, the Taiwanese women's basketball team recently conducted off-site training in Japan. Coach Lin Chi-wen noted that the Japanese team demonstrated high levels of defensive intensity, fast-break speed, and shooting accuracy, which enabled the Taiwanese squad to learn effective strategies for breaking through pressure defenses and improving overall teamwork through enhanced communication and rotation tactics.

Captain Huang Ching-yu emphasized that learning from Japanese players about showing high levels of aggressiveness in both offense and defense—regardless of their physical stature—has been a major takeaway from their training. Taiwan’s group is expected to face strong challenges, as the competitors include the previous cycle's absence of the powerhouse USA, the host nation Germany, and the equally tall Polish team.

Shao Yu-wen, who has represented Taiwan in the U19 world championship, expressed concerns about the discrepancy in height against taller opponents, stating with a wry smile that their rivals are likely at least five centimeters taller than her. She underscored the need for teamwork to counterbalance this edge, stressing the importance of communication with teammates, saying, "To overcome the height disadvantage, I need to use our defensive teamwork and establish good communication with my teammates. Ultimately, unity is key to achieving our objectives step by step."

Additonally, the apparel sponsor UNDER ARMOUR is joining the effort by providing the Taiwanese delegation with stylish and functional team uniforms, as well as top-notch gear including a complete set of HeatGear clothing and the signature Curry 12 basketball shoes, thereby empowering the players to perform their best, regardless of challenges faced.

Wang Li-jen, the general manager of UNDER ARMOUR, expressed that the brand strives to give back to grassroots sports in Taiwan and is proud to partner with the Taiwanese delegation and sponsor the women’s basketball training team, hoping to support the athletes so they can focus entirely on their competitions, trusting that they can continue to challenge themselves and overcome goals.