On May 18, TKU’s annual water sports contest kicked off with a variety of fun ‘water performances’ staged by the TKU swimming team at the Shao Mo Memorial Natatorium. The swimming team, which snagged a host of medals at the recent 2011 National Intercollegiate Games, then emerged from the professional-sized pool with medals in hand, which they presented to the President of TKU, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang.

As the contest commenced, competition was fierce and records were slashed. In the men’s heats, students Hung Han and Chiang Yuan-kai set records in the 50m freestyle and 100m events respectively.

TKU faculty and staff also got in amongst the spoils. Ms. Farrah P. Chang, from the TKU Office of Quality Assurance and Audit, bettered the previously set time for the women’s 50m freestyle event; while Mr. Huang Xu-qun broke his own record in the 50m breaststroke category.

In this year’s competition, a dark horse emerged. Fourth year Department of Business Management student, Hsieh Meng-hsi, not only claimed gold in the women’s 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle kick and 50m butterfly, but was also part of the winning team in the women’s 500m medley relay.

Also of note was the effort from Office of Physical Education faculty member, Chen Jui-chen. After taking part in the initial performances held by the TKU swimming team, he then went on to eclipse previous times set in both the men’s 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle events.

At the end of the annual meet, a variety of fun water-based games brought a sense of levity to this year’s intense yet memorable competition.