[Mixed Shuttle Relay – Day 5] Preliminaries Conclude Successfully; Finalist Slots Expanded to Top 24; Vice President Yung-Chun Lee Encourages Athletes: "There are always possibilities on the track."
Written by NCKU Physical Education Office.Image credit to NCKU News Center.
The five-day preliminary rounds of the 2026 Spring Mixed Shuttle Relay concluded successfully in the evening on May 22 at the Kuang-Fu Campus track.
The five-day preliminary rounds of National Cheng Kung University’s (NCKU) 2026 Spring Mixed Shuttle Relay concluded in the evening on May 22 at the Kuang-Fu Campus track. Serving as the finale of the qualifiers, the final day saw intense competition among 16 teams. Crowds gathered along the track, cheering loudly and creating an electric atmosphere that resonated across the stadium.
Vice President Yong-Chun Li \ fires the starting pistol at the final preliminary race today and enthusiastically encourages the athletes to persist until the very end.
The tournament drew a record-breaking turnout this year, with 103 teams and over 2,000 faculty members and students participating, alongside an unprecedented number of spectators. In response to the fierce competition, Vice President Yong-Chun Li delivered an inspiring opening address to encourage the athletes. "Never give up, because there are endless possibilities on the track," Li said. "In a shuttle relay, even if you start last, you can make a comeback and take the lead at any moment." His remarks electrified the crowd and called upon NCKU members to embody their characteristic "resilience" and refusal to surrender, inspiring every runner to give their all and persist until the finish line.
This year's tournament set a new record with 103 teams and over 2,000 faculty members and students participating, drawing a larger crowd of spectators than in previous years.
Hsu Ming-jung, a freshman from the Department of Electrical Engineering who ran the anchor leg for the team "T-POP Demon Hunting Pilgrimage Group," shared a humorous mishap after the race. During his final sprint, Hsu prematurely slowed down after mistaking a red flag ahead for the finish line. This incident perfectly echoed Vice President Li's remark that "there are endless possibilities on the track," proving that the outcome remains uncertain until the very last second. When asked about the motivation behind forming their team, Hsu laughingly revealed a very practical incentive: "The students who completed the 2025 Autumn Mixed Shuttle Relay received buffet vouchers. Tempted by the great food and lively atmosphere, we decided to form a cross-college team to compete this year."
Serving as the grand finale of the preliminary rounds, a total of 16 teams engaged in the final wave of intense competition on the last day.
The track on the final day saw no shortage of formidable contenders. The team "Southerners, Step Up to the Challenge (南部人出來面對)," whose name carries a distinct grassroots flavor, showcased a fearless, underdog attitude to capture first place in their heat. Team captain Huang Tzu-chi confidently declared, "Our goal for this tournament is to win the championship and directly challenge last year's defending champions." This group of cross-disciplinary partners, making a stellar debut in their first-ever appearance, perfectly demonstrated the captivating charm of "endless possibilities" on the track through their fierce ambition and passion.
Every runner gives their all during the baton exchange and persists all the way to the finish line.
The NCKU Physical Education Office expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the university's faculty and students for their enthusiastic support over the past five days, as well as to the dedicated staff who worked behind the scenes to maintain order and provide sports safety protection. The university hopes that students will channel the passion from their recent training into daily exercise habits, putting into practice NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen's vision that "physical health is the ultimate key to sustainability."
The highly anticipated "Top 24 Finals" will take center stage on Monday, June 8. Faculty, students, and sports enthusiasts are invited to the track to cheer on NCKU's athletes as they compete for the 2026 Spring Mixed Shuttle Relay championship title.
With the action-packed and surprise-filled preliminary rounds officially ending, the highly anticipated "Top 24 Finals" are set to take center stage on Monday, June 8. Who will claim the ultimate championship title for the 2026 Spring Mixed Shuttle Relay? Faculty, students, and sports enthusiasts are cordially invited to witness the exciting conclusion and continue cheering on NCKU's athletes at the track.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2026-05-24
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