TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Organizers of the 2025 World Masters Games unveiled an iconic trio of torchbearers Tuesday (May 12), blending athletic excellence with generational diversity for the international multi-sport event to be held across Taiwan's capital region. Baseball star Peng Cheng-min (彭政閔), Olympic boxing champion Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷), and 104-year-old Guinness World Record holder Lin You-mao (林友茂) will carry the flame, representing the Games' values of competitive sport, youthful vigor, and inclusive participation.
In a statement rich with symbolism, the World Masters Games Executive Committee explained that their chosen torchbearers embody the event's dual philosophy of "Lifetime Sports" and "Sports for All." The opening ceremony will feature an unprecedented ritual: torchbearers planting a sapling to represent life's beginnings and continuous growth. This ceremonial tree will serve as a mythical axis where the torch — representing the sun's illuminating power — will symbolize the vitality and aspirations of participating athletes from around the globe.
Baseball icon Peng Cheng-min, revered for his leadership as captain and prolific hitting with the CTBC Brothers in Taiwan's premier baseball organization, the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL, 中華職棒), views his torchbearer role as an opportunity to elevate the Games' profile. Meanwhile, Lin Yu-ting — too young to compete in the age-restricted Masters competition — expressed confidence that Taiwan's hosting duties would significantly boost the island's sporting culture and international athletic recognition. ★
