The Power Behind Taiwan’s Tokyo Olympic Success: How Sports Science is Revolutionizing Performance — An Exclusive Interview with Professor Tzu-Yuan Hsiang, the Godfather of Taiwan’s Sports Science

When the long-awaited Tokyo 2020 Olympics finally kicked off in 2021 after a year-long delay due to the pandemic, Taiwan made history: 2 golds, 4 silvers, and 6 bronzes—the best Olympic performance the country has ever seen. The excitement swept across the nation, drawing even casual viewers to their screens to cheer on the athletes. But behind the stellar performances wasn’t just raw talent and hard work—it was also the result of cutting-edge sports science from Taiwan’s National Sports Training Center.

“Taiwanese sports science is second to none.”

Professor Tzu-Yuan Hsiang is head of the Olympic Sports Science Task Force and a pivotal figure in Taiwan’s sports science community. Following the Olympics, Professor Hsiang barely had a moment to rest, fielding interview requests from numerous media outlets. Uni-magazine was fortunate to sit down with him for an in-depth conversation.

Currently a research chair professorat National Taiwan Normal University’sDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Sciences,Professor Hsiang holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (specializing in biomechanics) from Pennsylvania State University.Upon returning to Taiwan, he devoted himself to advancing sports science, bridging academic knowledge with real-world athletic performance.Over the years,he has become a crucial figure, overseeing both Olympic and Asian Games national team support efforts at the National Training Center.

As the Chief Coordinator of the Sports Science Task Force for the Tokyo Olympics(Photo provided)(Prof. Hsiang Tzu-Yuan)

Professor Hsiang led a multidisciplinary team that worked closely with high-potential athletes and coaches. “Before the Olympics, we developed specialized training enhancement programs for key sportslike weightlifting, archery, and table tennis,” he explained. This tailored approach helped fine-tune athletes’ physical and mental conditioning while minimizing injury risks.

Sports Science Archery Program (photo provided)(Prof. Hsiang Tzu-Yuan)

One notable achievement was the real-time weightlifting feedback system Professor Hsiang developed for the 2016 Rio Olympics.The systemprovided athletes and coaches with immediate biomechanical analysis of each lift, allowing for rapid adjustments. By Tokyo 2020, the system had evolved into a cutting-edge AI-powered “Smart Barbell Trajectory Tracking System,”

which not only improved techniquebut also helped prevent injury through motion data analysis.

Sports science, as Professor Hsiang emphasized, isn’t just one discipline. It’s a convergence of multiple fields, including physiology, psychology, biomechanics, sports medicine, nutrition, and data analytics. That diversity allows for highly customized support.For example, in the case of rising table tennis star Lin Yun-Ju, who secured bronze in his Olympic debut, the focus was on psychological preparedness and tactical simulations of rivals like Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov andChina’s Fan Zhendong.

(Photo provided)(Prof. Hsiang Tzu-Yuan)

While elite athletes benefit from cutting-edge resources, what about the grassroots level?Cansports science make a difference without a massive budget? According to Professor Hsiang, it can, and it should.

According to Professor Hsiang, it can, and it should. "For youth and school-level athletes, the focus should be on injury prevention and basic physical development,” he said. Expanding access to sports science doesn’t necessarily require heavy spending. It requires more trained professionals. “We need more sports science talent. It’s about human capital, not just money.”

For teachers and coaches curious about getting started, Hsiang reassures them: “You don’t need a background in complex theory. Sports science is an applied science. Many universities and institutions now offer courses designed to make this knowledge accessible and practical.”

(Photo provided)(Prof. Hsiang Tzu-Yuan)

But it’s not just athletes who benefit.Sports science is also revolutionizing Taiwan’s sports industry.Professor Hsiang pointed out that in the past, local companies focused mainly on reducing manufacturing costs. Now, the potential lies in improving the functionality of sports products, everything from footwear to wearables."Unless companies bring in professionals with technical expertise, they tend to stay stuck in a manufacturer’s mindset," he said.That's why he launched the Sports Science Network, a platform aimed at sharing academic findings with industry stakeholders.Thistransfer of knowledge can spark product innovation and give traditional manufacturers a competitive edge on the international stage.

(Photo provided)(Prof. Hsiang Tzu-Yuan)

From elite competition to everyday training, sports science is no longer a luxury. It’s becoming essential. Whether it’s enhancing performance, preventing injury, or developing smarter gear, the impact is far-reaching.

As Professor Hsiang puts it: “Sports science is about real-world application.” In countries where sports culture thrives, the related industries often flourish too. Taiwan’s Olympic achievements are just the beginning. With growing investments in both sports and technology, Taiwan is well-positioned to shine even brighter on the global stage, and sports science will be a major force pushing that future forward.

(Photo provided)(Prof. Hsiang Tzu-Yuan)

To learn more, please click on the following links

Laboratory of Sports Science and Technology, Department of Athletic Competitiveness, National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU)

Sports Science Network

National Sports Training Center Sports Science News