On the last day of 2019, a young woman dressed casually walked into Taitung’s Saint Mary’s Hospital. Quietly, she approached the staff and said: “I’d like to make a donation.” Then, she added: “Can I donate anonymously?” The hospital staff glanced at her and immediately recognized her — she was Kuo Hsing-Chun, the weightlifting champion from Taitung who had broken world records in the 59 kg (139 lb) category at the Asian Weightlifting Championships.
Although Kuo wanted to remain anonymous, the hospital’s director, Chen Liang-Chuan, could not help but share her generosity on social media, revealing how she had donated her hard-earned prize money to help others.
An unstoppable force on the weightlifting platform
Kuo Hsing-Chun made history at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, winning gold in the women’s 59 kg weightlifting category. With a snatch of 103 kg (227 lb) and a clean and jerk of 133 kg (293 lb) — totaling 236 kg (520 lb) — she not only secured Taiwan’s first gold medal in the Tokyo Games, but also set new Olympic records in all three categories.
Her dominance in weightlifting was so overwhelming that many competitors from other countries chose to avoid her weight class. As a result, when the competition began, Kuo started with a clean and jerk weight of 100 kg and waited for all the other competitors to finish before stepping onto the stage. In her first snatch attempt, she effortlessly lifted 100 kg. Her second attempt at 103 kg, which would have broken the Olympic record, was initially ruled invalid due to a slight bend in her elbow. However, she executed the lift perfectly on her third attempt, setting a new Olympic record.
A childhood marked by hardship
Born prematurely with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, Kuo Hsing-Chun faced challenges from the very start. Shortly after her birth, her father left, leaving her mother to raise her alone. Her mother took on various temporary jobs to make ends meet, and Kuo moved frequently, living with her grandmother, uncle, and aunt at different times. At one point, she even stayed in the Taitung County Council building, studying under dim lights on the floor.
Despite experiencing poverty and instability throughout her childhood, Kuo never hesitated to help others once she could do so. She prioritized giving back long before securing a stable home for herself and her family. It was only recently that she was able to buy a house for her grandmother and mother, finally giving them a place of their own.
Giving back to the community
Kuo’s commitment to charity began early in her career. After winning gold at the 2013 Asian Weightlifting Championships, she immediately visited Saint Mary’s Hospital in Taitung, hoping to donate funds for an ambulance. However, since the hospital did not have an emergency department, she was advised to donate to the hospital in Luodong instead. Even then, Luodong did not have an urgent need for an ambulance, so she redirected her donation to Penghu’s Huimin Hospital, which was in dire need of one.
Following her 2013 World Weightlifting Championship win, Kuo returned to her high school, Taitung University Affiliated Physical Education Senior High School, and donated NT$100,000 (US$3,000) in scholarships. She encouraged younger students, saying: “Be grateful and give back — without this school, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
After winning gold at the 2017 Summer Universiade, she visited her junior high alma mater, Baosang Junior High School. She donated NT$400,000 (US$12,000) from T-shirt sales and provided fitness equipment, including treadmills. She urged students to pursue their dreams, saying: “I am deeply grateful to Baosang Junior High for nurturing me. That’s why I created this giving-back program — to support underprivileged children in pursuing sports.”
A lifetime commitment to helping others
In 2019, Kuo collaborated with the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation to create a charity calendar featuring one of her favorite photographs. With the support of several sponsors, the proceeds from the sales went entirely to Taitung’s long-term care services for vegetative patients. Even as she continued to shine on the world stage, she never forgot her hometown. On the last day of that year, she again visited Saint Mary’s Hospital in Taitung to donate, saying: “I grew up in Taitung and received so much support from this place. I want to give back in every way I can, especially to Saint Mary’s Hospital, which provides long-term care for the vulnerable.”
For Kuo, winning gold medals is about more than just personal achievements — it is about lifting others up. Looking ahead, she even dreams of returning to Taitung after retirement to open a breakfast shop. “I want to make sure young athletes start their day with energy,” she said, “and I hope this small act will instill in them a sense of gratitude and the desire to give back.”
Translated by Chua BC
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