20 Years Later, Yani Tseng Reunites with Asian Games National Team: 'It Feels So Strange'

(CNA reporter Li Chien-chung, Taipei, 14th) The Sports Administration announced today the list of Taiwan's delegation for the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games, with the golf team consisting of three male and three female athletes. Notably, 'the eternal Smile Queen' Yani Tseng will once again don the national team jersey after a 20-year gap. She said with a smile: 'It really feels so strange.'

The Taiwan golf team for the Nagoya Asian Games includes male players Wang Wei-hsuan, Hung Chien-yao, and Chan Shih-chang, and female players Yani Tseng, Chien Pei-yun, and Hsu Wei-ling. Hung Chien-yao won a bronze medal in the individual event at the previous Hangzhou Asian Games.

Tseng told CNA that returning as a national athlete after two decades feels truly surreal. 'I still remember in 2006, both Chan Shih-chang and I participated in the Doha Asian Games as amateurs. Now in 2026, we’re both professional players competing in the Asian Games.'

She added, 'Although the LPGA has the national team-based Queen's Cup, representing Taiwan at the Asian Games feels completely different. Plus, the Asian Games include team events, which gives everyone a shared goal and will become a memorable experience in the future.'

To prepare for the Asian Games, Tseng plans to continue competing. Her current schedule includes the LPGA Scottish Open and the Women’s British Open, followed by several tournaments in the U.S.

Tseng emphasized that her top priority remains physical health. She recently experienced some back discomfort two weeks ago, but fortunately, the LPGA calendar in September is relatively light, allowing her to balance preparation with recovery.

At 37 years old, Tseng’s return to the national team after two decades is historic, and she has set an even greater goal: competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

She joked, 'Golf returned to the Olympics in 2016, and I just missed it. Then injuries prevented me from participating in Tokyo and Paris. Now that I’m back playing, I naturally want to keep going. If I can return to the Asian Games after 20 years, the Olympics will definitely be my next target.' (Edited by Lung Po-an) 1150714