Baseball, above all! The passion for this sport dates back to 1968, when a Little League team from the remote village of Hongye defeated a visiting championship team from Japan twice. Ever since, TPE amateur baseball teams excelled, winning major international competitions. Three pitchers made it all the way to Major League fame in the USA.
Basketball is also highly popular. People of both sexes can be seen playing the game on school and community courts around the island. At the 15th Asian Games in 2006, TPE won a silver medal in women’s basketball –– a first for the nation. Billiards enthusiasts have worked hard to promote the sport and transform talented young players into polished professionals. These efforts have paid off, and TPE athletes are now often the favourites in international competition.