The team inspired by their young prodigy, Lin Yun-Ju gave an inkling of what they are capable of doing at the 2020 Olympic Games. Drawn in Group A alongside China and Nigeria, they lost to the Chinese in their opening group match but they fought like a wounded-lion against the African champions to sail through to the second round.

They were humbled 3-0 by China but a convincing 3-0 win by Lin Yun-Ju over Nigeria’s Bode Abidun and Olajide Omotayo in the singles matches coupled with a closed 3-2 doubles victory by Chen Chien-An and Liao Cheng-Ting over Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo earned them a passage to the quarter-final round. But for a heroic performance from Africa’s best player –  Quadri Aruna who recorded a 3-2 win over Chen Chien-An, the Asians still recorded a 3-1 win to join China in the second stage of the championship.

The real sparkle in the team came to fore against the impressive England side as the youngest and oldest players in the team – 18-year-old Lin Yun-Ju Lin and 28-year-old Chen Chien-An came to the game to demystify the English men. Chen Chien-An and  Liao Cheng-Ting overcame Paul Drinkhall and Tom Jarvis 3-0 in the doubles, while Lin Yun-Ju stunned Liam Pitchford 3-0 with Chen Chien-An putting the tie beyond the English side with a convincing 3-0 win over Paul Drinkhall to secure their place in the last four of the competition.

Sadly, their glorious performance came to end when they were shown the exit door by fourth-seed Korea Republic. Despite taking a 2-0 lead against the Korean duo of Lee Sangsu and Jeoung Youngsik in the doubles tie, Chen and Liao failed to convert the lead into victory with the Koreans reversing the tie to 3-2. An effort by Lin to restore his team back to the game, was thwarted by Jang Woojin who dazzled the teenager with a 3-1 win.

From the encounter, it was clear that the aggressiveness of the Koreans became the undoing of Chinese Taipei with Youngsik recoding an easy 3-0 win over Chen to end the good run of the Chinese Taipei. Admitting their mistakes in the doubles tie, Chen said:

“We really started very well in the doubles and we were leading 2-0 but our bad tactics cum strategies adversely affected us to surrender the lead and victory at 3-2. We were so simple with our tactics and this cost us the tie. Even When Lin came on board for the singles tie, he was making simple mistakes with some clear points and this really cost him the game as well. I must also commend Lin that he played very relaxed in this tournament but it was disappointing for us losing in such manner to Korea Republic. We are happy with our performance in Tokyo.” Chen Chien-An

For Lin Yun-Ju, playing at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium has been an awesome experience even as he looks forward return to the venue next year at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“I love the venue as it is comfortable for me and I look forward to Tokyo 2020. But I am disappointed with my performance against the Koreans particularly in the third game against Jang Woojin. Generally, we are happy with our performance in Tokyo.” Lin Yun-Ju