Yang Yungwei returned to the judo mat after the Paris Olympics, making an impressive run to the final round on Friday. In his first tournament back, Yang Yungwei claims silver again, facing longtime rival Nakamura Taiki in a tense title match.
Competing in the extra lightweight category under 60 kilograms, Yang fought evenly against Nakamura throughout most of the match. However, in the final 20 seconds, Nakamura launched a successful counterattack that sealed Yang’s defeat.
This outcome mirrored Yang’s previous silver finish against Nakamura last year, according to UDN. Yang, famously known as the “Prince of Judo” for winning silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, could not replicate that success in Paris, where he finished in seventh place.
Following his disappointing performance in Paris, Yang took a nine-month break to recover and refocus. His return at the Asian Judo Championships marked the beginning of his comeback journey. Early in the tournament, Yang displayed dominance by defeating opponents from North Korea, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan with swift precision.
Despite his strong start, Yang faced another tough battle against 23-year-old Japanese judo star Nakamura in the final. Yang attempted to gain an advantage with a ground move, but Nakamura’s counterattack turned the tide. Yang Yungwei claims silver again after a fierce and closely contested match.
Yang’s history at the Asian Judo Championships now includes silver medals from 2019, 2021, 2024, and 2025. His consistent performances continue to show his determination and skill at the continental level.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Lin Chen-hao also fought for a medal in the women’s under 48 kg category. Lin advanced to the bronze medal match but faced strong opposition from Kazakhstan’s Galiya Tynbayeva. Unfortunately, 75 seconds into the bout, Lin suffered a defeat, missing a spot on the podium.
Nevertheless, Taiwan’s judo athletes displayed resilience and determination throughout the tournament. Although Yang Yungwei claims silver once again, his comeback journey remains a promising story for Taiwan’s sports fans.
