TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese powerlifter Yang Sen (楊森) won the nation’s fifth gold medal at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu on Sunday, setting a new world record in the men’s equipped super heavyweight squat.
Yang lifted 453.5 kilograms, surpassing his previous record of 453 kg. He also completed 332.5 kg in both the bench press and deadlift, according to CNA.
His combined total of 1,118.5 kg set a new World Games record. The performance earned 108.90 points and secured gold in a field of eight competitors, per CNA.
Yang, a member of Taiwan’s Paiwan Indigenous community, comes from a powerlifting family in Pingtung’s Taiwu Township. He began training in sixth grade under the guidance of his uncle and first coach, Yang Cheng-ming (楊正明). His father was also a former powerlifter.
Over recent years, Yang has steadily raised the squat world record. At the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, he lifted 440 kg in the 120-kg weight class.
Later that year, he increased it to 440.5 kg at the World Equipped Open Powerlifting Championships. In 2023, he achieved 452.5 kg, and in 2024, he lifted 453 kg at the same event.
On Sunday, he added another 0.5 kg to his record.
The 12th World Games, held every four years, took place from Aug. 7 to 17 in Chengdu. This year’s program included sports set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Earlier on Sunday, Taiwan won its fourth gold medal in the mixed beach korfball event, overcoming a 0–4 deficit to defeat the Netherlands 8–6. Yang’s victory brought Taiwan’s overall tally to five gold, six silver, and four bronze medals.
