Award Ceremony to Celebrate Taiwan’s Outstanding Athletes and Coaches
Taipei, Taiwan — Sun Chen (孫振), a pioneer of breakdancing in Taiwan and one of the first Taiwanese athletes to compete in the Olympic Games’ breaking competition, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Sports Elite Award’s Special Recognition honor, announced the Sports Administration in Taipei on Thursday.
Known professionally as B-Boy Quake, Sun earned a place in the history books as part of the inaugural breaking competition at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Despite not advancing to the quarterfinals, Sun’s remarkable achievement of securing one of just 16 spots in the Olympic breakdancing event marks a milestone for both Taiwan’s dance scene and the global recognition of breaking as an official Olympic sport.
The Sports Elite Award ceremony, set to take place on December 20, 2024, will recognize not only Sun’s Olympic journey but also his continuous impact on Taiwan’s dance culture and global sports community.
Sun Chen’s Achievements: From Olympic Debut to Global Champion
Sun’s Olympic debut in Paris this summer was a historic moment for Taiwan as breaking made its Olympic debut. Though he didn’t make it past the preliminary rounds, his resilience and skill did not go unnoticed. Just two weeks later, Sun took home the championship at the Outbreak Europe competition in Slovakia, solidifying his status as one of the world’s best B-Boys.
The award recognizes Sun’s excellence, and his role in elevating Taiwan’s representation in global dance competitions, from the streets to the grand Olympic stage.
Quote from Sun Chen
“I never thought breaking would be in the Olympics, but now that it is, I feel an immense responsibility to represent Taiwan. Winning the Outbreak Europe competition showed me how far I can go, and this award only fuels my desire to keep pushing the boundaries,” Sun said in an interview.
Lifetime Achievement Award for Lee Wu-nan
In addition to Sun Chen, Lee Wu-nan (李武男), the former president of the Chinese Taipei Boxing Association, will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lee, 82, is being honored for his decades of dedication to reforming Taiwanese boxing, promoting the sport among youth, and advocating for women’s participation in combat sports. His work helped elevate Taiwan’s boxing program on the international stage, and his efforts remain a source of inspiration for new generations of athletes.
Olympic and Paralympic Medalists Competing for Recognition
This year’s Sports Elite Award ceremony will also spotlight several top performers from the 2024 Paris Olympics, including Taiwanese athletes who captured gold and bronze medals.
Gold Medalists:
- Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) – Women’s Boxing
- Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) & Lee Yang (李洋) – Men’s Badminton Doubles
Bronze Medalists:
- Taiwan’s five bronze medalists in Paris will also be recognized for their achievements.
Notable Nominees for Best Athlete and Best Sports Team
Several top Taiwanese athletes are vying for recognition in multiple categories, including:
- Lin Yu-ting – Nominated for Best Female Athlete after clinching Taiwan’s first-ever Olympic gold in women’s boxing.
- Wang Chi-lin & Lee Yang – Nominated for Best Sports Team, having secured a gold medal in men’s badminton doubles.
- Tang Chia-hung (唐嘉鴻) – Nominated for Best Male Athlete and Best Sportsmanship after winning his first Olympic bronze in men’s gymnastics.
New Faces: Kao Cheng-jui and Rising Stars
19-year-old Kao Cheng-jui (高承睿), Taiwan’s silver medalist in men’s table tennis team event at the Paris Olympics, is also nominated for Best Male Athlete and Best Rookie Athlete for his breakthrough performance in the highly competitive event.
Taiwan’s Strong Presence at the 2024 Olympics
With Taiwan continuing to gain recognition on the global stage, the 2024 Paris Olympics showcased the nation’s growing athletic prowess. The Sports Administration received 126 nominations for this year’s awards, reflecting the dedication and success of Taiwanese athletes across various sports.
Award Ceremony Details
- Date: December 20, 2024
- Location: Taipei, Taiwan
- Hosted by: The Sports Administration of Taiwan
- Key Awards: Sports Elite Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Athlete, Best Coach, and Best Sports Team
Table: 2024 Sports Elite Award Nominees
| Category | Nominee(s) |
|---|---|
| Best Female Athlete | Lin Yu-ting (Boxing) |
| Best Male Athlete | Tang Chia-hung (Gymnastics), Kao Cheng-jui (Table Tennis) |
| Best Sports Team | Wang Chi-lin & Lee Yang (Badminton) |
| Best Coach | Weng Shih-hang (Gymnastics) |
| Best Sportsmanship | Tang Chia-hung (Gymnastics) |
| Best Rookie Athlete | Kao Cheng-jui (Table Tennis) |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Lee Wu-nan (Boxing) |
FAQs
1. What is the Sports Elite Award?
The Sports Elite Award is an annual recognition by Taiwan’s Sports Administration that honors outstanding athletes, coaches, and sports figures for their achievements in the past year.
2. Who is Sun Chen?
Sun Chen, also known as B-Boy Quake, is a Taiwanese breakdancer who competed in the inaugural Olympic breakdancing event at the 2024 Paris Games.
3. When is the award ceremony?
The award ceremony will take place on December 20, 2024, in Taipei.
4. What other athletes are nominated for the awards?
In addition to Sun Chen, athletes such as Lin Yu-ting, Wang Chi-lin, and Lee Yang are also nominated for top honors.
5. How can I watch the award ceremony?
Details regarding live coverage of the award ceremony will be announced closer to the event date.
