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The 2025 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup, held in mid-May in Slovenia, brought exciting news for Taiwan as National Central University (NCU) student Chiou Min-Han from the Department of Finance won the gold medal in the men’s floor exercise. Delivering a steady and fluid performance in the final round, Chiou achieved a flawless landing and scored 13.833, earning his first-ever international gold medal. This remarkable victory not only marked a personal best for Chiou but also brought great honor to Taiwan.
Chiou’s gymnastics journey began at an early age. Showing exceptional talent as a child, he attended the kindergarten affiliated with Yilan County's Gongzheng Elementary School—the school featured in the documentary Jump! Boys—and quickly caught the attention of gymnastics coaches. Despite numerous challenges along the way, he never gave up on his athletic dream. At the 2025 National Intercollegiate Athletic Games, Shining brightly, Chiou won silver in the men’s artistic gymnastics division, second place in vault and third place in pommel horse and floor exercise. He showcased his all-around excellence. His outstanding performance also earned him a place on Taiwan’s 2025 World University Games national team.
In this World Challenge Cup in Slovenia, Chiou performed the same floor routine he performed at the Intercollegiate Games, displaying even greater confidence and precision. Although he performed well in the preliminaries, an imperfect landing on his final pass placed him fifth, just enough to advance to the finals. Learning from that experience, Chiou refined his technique and delivered a perfect landing in the final, earning a crucial 0.1 bonus point. With a difficulty score of 5.0, an execution score of 8.733, and the landing bonus, he totaled 13.833 points, edging out the runner-up by 0.033 to claim his first international gold medal.
Beyond gymnastics, Chiou is a multi-talented and well-rounded student. With an impressive TOEIC score of 940, he also plays the violin as a member of NCU’s String Orchestra and performed at the university’s anniversary celebration last year. A passionate music lover, Chiou often selects calming pieces to suit his mood before competitions, helping him stay composed and focused amid the tension. Welcoming every challenge, he strives to meet a better version of himself.
