Chen Yinglang

Chen Yinglang was a track and field athlete from Taiwan coached by China’s first Olympian [Zhang Hsing-Hsien]. Born under the Japanese rule, he attended the Tainan Second High School where he was active in volleyball and judo. After successful appearances at Taiwan’s provincial Games just after World War II, he excelled nationally winning the 400 m, three relay titles (4×100 m, 4×400 m, mixed relay), and placing third in the 200 m at the 1948 National Games in Shanghai. Therefore, he was selected for the Chinese athletics team at the 1948 London Olympics. With a third place in the heats of the 400 m, he failed to qualify for the next round. Later, he moved to Japan and enrolled in the former Japan Junior College of Economics (now Asia University Junior College Division) to continue his business studies.

With Chinese Taipei missing the 1952 Olympics, he only returned to the international stage earning the bronze medal at the 1954 Asian Games in Manila with a national record of 48.6 seconds. Four years later, he took silver at the next Asian Games as a member of Taiwan’s 4 x 400 m relay. During his career he set national and Asian records in the 400 m and various relays. Chen retired from track and field focussing on his job at the Bank of Taiwan, eventually rising to the position of Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs. In 1964, he was a torchbearer of the Olympic Flame through Taipei before the Tokyo Olympics.

Personal Best: 400 – 48.6 (1954).