Hong Kong, China — Taiwan’s Cho Cheng-chi (卓承齊) emerged victorious on Friday in the men’s 10-kilometer race at the Asian Open Water Swimming Championships, clinching his first-ever gold in the competition. The race, held in Hong Kong, was a thrilling and closely contested event, with Cho finishing in a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 40.2 seconds — a mere 0.1 seconds ahead of Thailand’s Thammananthachote Ratthawit, who took home the silver medal.
This gold medal marked a significant achievement for Cho, who had previously secured silver three times at the Asian Open Water Championships but had never claimed the top spot until now.
A Triumph Against the Odds: Cho’s Journey to Victory
In an emotional interview after his win, Cho admitted that his journey to the gold medal was not an easy one. Despite his excellent physical capabilities, Cho revealed that his mental condition had been less than ideal after the 2023 Asian Games, where he had missed out on the opportunity to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Reflecting on his age and the challenges ahead, Cho even considered retiring from the sport.
However, his coach, Liu Yao-chang (劉曜彰), played a crucial role in convincing Cho to take a step back from the idea of retirement and instead focus on recovery. Liu encouraged Cho to take a break rather than make an impulsive decision to quit, allowing Cho to return to training after several months off.
A Comeback to Remember: Cho’s Return to Training and the 2024 Championship
After resuming training in June, Cho initially signed up for the Kinmen Long-Distance Open Water Swimming in July, but his mental state was still far from ideal. In fact, Cho considered leaving the sport again, choosing instead to focus on his master’s degree. Yet, Liu’s continued support and motivational talks kept Cho in the game, and together they made the decision for Cho to compete at the Asian Open Water Swimming Championships.
Despite having only one month of intensive training leading up to the event — and not being at his peak performance — Cho showed immense resilience. He estimated his physical condition at 70-80% of his full potential but noted that his mental preparation was solid.
Cho explained that winning the gold medal was not just about physical preparation but also about timing and luck during the race. With a modest amount of training and a renewed mindset, Cho surpassed expectations and claimed the top podium finish, proving that determination can lead to success even in the final stages of an athlete’s career.
Teng Yu-wen Wins Bronze in Women’s 10km Event
In addition to Cho’s success, Taiwan also saw Teng Yu-wen (鄧羽彣) earning a bronze medal in the women’s 10-kilometer race, finishing with a time of 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 23.8 seconds. Teng’s strong performance added to Taiwan’s impressive showing at the competition, securing another podium finish for the island nation in the international swimming arena.
Cho’s Reflections: The Importance of Coach Support and Teamwork
Cho’s victory was not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the importance of teamwork between an athlete and their coach. Cho was particularly grateful to Liu for his unwavering support throughout the challenging months leading up to the championship. Cho noted that without his coach’s encouragement and belief in his ability, this achievement would not have been possible.
“I only resumed training for a month, but he still thought I had a chance. This gold medal was obtained with his incessant training,” Cho said, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to his coach for standing by him during a time of uncertainty.
Medal Standings – Men’s 10km
| Rank | Name | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Cho Cheng-chi (卓承齊) | Taiwan | 2:03:40.2 |
| Silver | Thammananthachote Ratthawit | Thailand | 2:03:40.3 |
| Bronze | [Not Mentioned in the Source] | [Not Mentioned] | [Not Mentioned] |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How did Cho Cheng-chi win the men’s 10km race at the Asian Open Water Swimming Championships?
Cho won the gold medal by finishing the race in 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 40.2 seconds, just 0.1 seconds ahead of the silver medalist, Thammananthachote Ratthawit of Thailand.
2. Was Cho’s victory at this event his first gold medal in the Asian Open Water Swimming Championships?
Yes, this was Cho’s first gold medal in the competition. He had previously earned silver three times but had never clinched the top spot until now.
3. What challenges did Cho face before the championship?
Cho struggled with his mental health after missing the opportunity to compete in the Paris Olympics and considered retiring from the sport. However, with the support of his coach, Cho made the decision to continue his career.
4. How much training did Cho have before the competition?
Cho only had one month of intense training before the event and was not at his peak performance level, estimating his condition to be about 70-80% of his best.
5. Who else from Taiwan earned a medal at the Championships?
In addition to Cho’s gold, Teng Yu-wen (鄧羽彣) won a bronze medal in the women’s 10km race, finishing in 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 23.8 seconds.
