Taiwan Fighter Jets to Escort Baseball Champions Home After Historic Victory
Taiwan is celebrating in style after its men’s baseball team, playing under the name Chinese Taipei, triumphed over Japan with a 4-0 win in the WBSC Premier12 final in Tokyo on Sunday. To honor their achievement, four F-16 fighter jets will escort the team back to Taipei on Monday, a gesture that underscores the nation’s immense pride in its players.
Baseball, a beloved sport in Taiwan, has united the island of 23 million in jubilation. President Lai Ching-te joined the celebrations, sharing videos of himself watching the game and holding a video call with the players to congratulate them. In a Facebook post, Lai hailed the team as “heroes,” commending their “outstanding fielding and aggressive baserunning” for bringing the nation together and earning international admiration.
Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, also extended his congratulations to the Taiwan team via Instagram, adding a global spotlight to their victory.
The tournament featured 12 teams, including the United States and Venezuela, which finished third and fourth, respectively. Taiwan’s win earned them $1.5 million in prize money from WBSC, with each player receiving an additional NT$7 million ($215,600) from the Taiwan government. Jeffrey Koo Jr., chairman of the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association, has also contributed NT$70 million, with further rewards from local governments.
A victory parade is scheduled in Taipei on Tuesday, culminating with a meeting between the players and President Lai at the Presidential Office Building.
Due to political sensitivities, Taiwan competes internationally under the name Chinese Taipei, a compromise enforced by China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Despite this, Taiwan’s baseball triumph has brought the nation global attention and immense pride.
