2003 Physical Sports Award 

Name and school: Yi-ling Li (李怡玲), from An Kang High School of Taipei County

My dream: To become the World Wrestling Champion.

My idol: My junior high wrestling coach, Mr. Yang-ming Kuo.

Person who has influenced me the most, and why: My role model, Mr.Yang-ming Kuo, because he is a very strong wrestler, and his skills are very developed. My goal is to learn as much as I can from him, and acquire his skills and strength.

Encouragement for the rest of Taiwan’s daughters: Seek personal development each day, with an optimistic and joyful attitude and a disciplined lifestyle. “Use today to build a wonderful tomorrow”- this should be everyone’s goal.

Reflections of a Champion: Whoa!! When I heard that I had won the Daughters of Formosa award, I was very surprised. Winning this award is a special experience. I never thought I would have this opportunity; this really was beyond my expectations. I feel like I’m walking on clouds!

First of all, I must thank the judges for selecting me for this award. I would also like to thank my dearest advisor for recommending that I join this competition, so that I had the chance to win this award and this honor for my school. I also want to thank my beloved parents for giving me a wonderful environment to grow up in, and for cheering me on and comforting me whenever I was facing hardship. I am so grateful to you for that.

Finally, winning this award was the result of my own hard work. Whether in school or during wrestling practice, I maintained the persistent attitude that I just had to do it, even if I was tired, so that I would not let anyone down.

Judges’ comments: Yi-ling comes from an average single-parent family, but she was able to boldly face her family problems. She was able to appreciate her family’s financial setbacks, and her mother’s hard work, so she tested into a police school with free tuition, a demonstration of her devotion and consideration toward her mother. Her profession is wrestling, and she has been selected as Asia’s Youth Champion and Taiwan’s national wrestling representative. Her daily training is draining as she has to travel from Hsin-tien to her school, waking up at 5 am to attend morning training. However, she never complains, and never gives up. Though training requires that she wake up early and arrive home late every day, she never allows her schoolwork and grades to slip, so she is still at the top of her class.