In tonight's (24th) thrilling gold medal match of the 2024 WBSC Premier 12 Super Round, Chinese Taipei triumphed over host team Japan with an impressive 4-0 win, securing the championship and setting a historic record for Taiwan in this tournament. To celebrate, the Taichung City Government hosted a live broadcast at the Taichung City Government front plaza, known as a prime spot for sports, where Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen provided 300 fried chicken fillets, over 2,000 servings of Taiwanese tea, and sun cakes to the crowd. Over 30,000 fans gathered to enjoy Taiwanese tea, cheer on the Taiwan team, savor fried chicken fillets, and celebrate the gold medal! Following the match, Mayor Lu joined the enthusiastic crowd in chanting, “Taiwanese Heroes, World Number One!” She expressed her delight, saying, “Chinese Taipei has worked so hard. They are true heroes and the pride of our country!”

According to the Sports Bureau, Taichung hosted the country’s largest live broadcast venue for the game. They thanked Chinese Taipei for bringing people together through their shared love of baseball and expressed appreciation to the fans who gathered in Taichung to serve as the team's strongest backing. Following the victory, the Taichung City Government celebrated by displaying “Taiwanese Heroes, World Number One” on the big screen at the venue, congratulating Chinese Taipei on their record-breaking achievement and securing their first championship title in team history.

The Sports Bureau praised Chinese Taipei for their stellar performance in the tournament, securing consecutive victories against South Korea, the Dominican Republic, Australia, and Cuba in the Opening Round. They also achieved a historic first win over the powerhouse U.S. team in 21 years during the Super Round. After a 32-year hiatus, the team advanced to the finals of one of the world's top three baseball tournaments, fighting for the gold and putting Taiwanese baseball on the global stage. To celebrate this unprecedented moment in Taiwan’s baseball history, the Taichung City Government hosted live broadcasts from the Opening Round at venues including the Taichung International Tennis Center, the former Fengyuan City Hall, and the Taichung City Government front plaza. The broadcasts for two matches between Taiwan and Japan, held last night and tonight, attracted over 40,000 passionate fans, with crowds extending beyond the plaza. The powerful unity and heartfelt cheers of the fans created an incredibly inspiring atmosphere.

The Sports Bureau noted that five players in this year’s Chinese Taipei lineup are from Taichung’s home team—the CTBC Brothers, including Tseng Sung-en, known as the “Dome King” and MVP of the Chinese Professional Baseball League championship series, five-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop Chiang Kun-yu and his golden partner Yueh Tung-hua, and pitchers Wu Chun-wei and Huang En-ssu. On the coaching side, Wang Chien-min, Peng Cheng-min, and Chen Chiang-han lent their expertise. Whether through reliable offense or masterful pitching, their standout performances captivated audiences and became a source of immense pride for Taichung. This underscores the city’s success in fostering baseball talent. As the city joined its citizens in witnessing this historic moment of international baseball glory, Taichung proudly celebrated being part of Taiwan’s remarkable achievement.

Yu Chih-hsiang, Acting Director of the Sports Bureau, highlighted Mayor Lu’s dedication to fostering a “cool city, cool sports” image, with baseball promotion as a key focus since taking office. The mayor has regularly visited Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium to support the local CTBC Brothers team and watch games. Recently, she announced increased prize money for Chinese Taipei in the tournament: NT$700,000 for the champion, NT$500,000 for the runner-up, and NT$300,000 for third place, underscoring the importance of timely recognition and encouragement for the team. The two-day live broadcast event at the Taichung City Government front plaza drew over 40,000 attendees, blending the passion for baseball with community life. The city government aims to use such events to inspire a wider love for baseball while rallying support for Chinese Taipei and international baseball development.

The Sports Bureau also highlighted that the Taichung City Government front plaza stands as Taiwan’s largest outdoor live broadcast venue and a cherished spot for local sports fans. It has hosted live broadcasts of major events, including the World Baseball Classic, the FIFA World Cup, and the Red Bull Showrun. Featuring a massive 1,300-inch screen, the broadcasts of the premier baseball tournament offer an unparalleled immersive experience. In recent years, Taichung has welcomed a variety of international sporting events, with its diverse sports promotion efforts earning widespread public appreciation. These initiatives have driven the city’s sports development and reinforced the success of Taichung’s “cool sports” strategy. Looking ahead, the city government will continue its efforts to promote “cool city, cool sports,” aiming to host more international competitions and establish Taichung as a leading destination for sports enthusiasts.

At today’s event, Mayor Lu, Legislators Liao Wei-hsiang, Yang Chiung-ying, Lo Ting-wei, and City Council member Lin Hao-yu were all present to cheer on Chinese Taipei.