Yu-Hsiang Li performs his Short Program during the Milano 2026 Olympic Qualifying Competition where he pursued a berth at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Yu-Hsiang Li’s Olympic debut opens new doors

For Yu-Hsiang Li, the 2025–26 season transformed years of sacrifice into reality. His Olympic debut not only fulfilled a lifelong goal but also opened new opportunities and perspectives as he looks toward the next stage of his career. The Taiwanese skater was also chosen as Chinese Taipei’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony—an honor he describes as one of the most emotional moments of his career.

“When I first heard the news, my reaction was shock,” Li said. “I never imagined that one day I would walk into the biggest sporting event in the world carrying my country’s flag.”

As he entered the Olympic stadium surrounded by athletes from around the globe, Li said the experience felt surreal. More importantly, it represented something larger than himself.

“For me, it was not only a personal honor, but also a chance to represent Taiwanese figure skating and all Taiwanese athletes who continue chasing their dreams,” he explained.

The moment carried particular significance given the challenges winter sports athletes face in Taiwan, where figure skating remains far from mainstream. Limited resources and training opportunities were obstacles Li encountered throughout his development.

“Standing there made me realize that athletes from Taiwan really can reach the world stage,” he said.

Olympic Lessons

Li describes the Olympics as one of the most unforgettable experiences of his life. Beyond the competition itself, he was inspired by the collective dedication of the world’s elite athletes.

“The atmosphere was very special,” he said. “You could feel how much every athlete had sacrificed and worked for their dreams.”

His greatest Olympic highlight came when he stepped onto the competition ice. As he waited at center ice for his music to begin, memories of his entire skating journey flashed through his mind—from childhood beginnings to injuries, setbacks, and years of hard work.

Another confidence-boosting moment came when he saw where his technical score ranked among the field.

“It made me realize that my technical ability truly belongs on the international stage,” he said.

Like many Olympic athletes, however, Li also experienced disappointment. While proud of reaching the Games, he acknowledged that some performances did not reach the standard he knows he can achieve.

“The Olympics are extremely intense, not only physically but mentally as well,” he said. “But I believe those experiences helped me grow a lot.”

Rather than viewing the Olympics as the pinnacle of his career, Li sees the experience as a foundation for what comes next.

Building a Foundation

Reaching the Olympics was the culmination of a journey that began under far different circumstances.

As a child, Li was not naturally athletic and struggled with his health. Concerned about his physical condition, his family encouraged him to participate in various sports.

Everything changed when he stepped onto the ice for the first time.

“I still remember being scared because it was slippery and I kept falling,” he recalled. “But the feeling of gliding on ice was so different from anything else that I found it fascinating.”

As he learned to skate and spin, he discovered a sense of freedom that ultimately drew him into the sport.

“When you glide across the ice, it almost feels like flying,” he said.

What began as a childhood activity gradually developed into a competitive career. Exposure to higher-level national and international events convinced him that he had the potential to compete with the best.

“From that point on, my life became centered around skating,” Li said.

Family Sacrifices

Behind Li’s success stands a family that made significant sacrifices to support his dreams.

Because figure skating is such an expensive sport, his parents worked extensively to provide financial support. As a result, Li spent much of his childhood living with his grandmother while they focused on earning enough to sustain his training.

“Sometimes when I saw other children spending more time with their parents, I felt envious,” he admitted.

At the same time, the experience taught him independence at an early age and gave him a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made on his behalf.

“I understood how much my family sacrificed for my dreams, so I always told myself that I could not give up easily,” he said.

Today, Li says all members of his family remain supportive, though in different ways. His grandmother played a major role in his upbringing, while his parents provided emotional and financial support behind the scenes.

“One of my biggest motivations is to repay my family through my performances and achievements,” he said.

Yu-Hsiang Li skates in the Free Skate during the Milano 2026 Olympic Qualifying Competition, continuing his bid for a place at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Learning on the World Stage

Building on the experience of his Olympic debut, Li also made his senior World Championship debut this season, where he gained an even clearer understanding of what it takes to compete consistently among the world’s best.

“The biggest thing I learned was the importance of consistency,” he said.

While difficult elements such as quadruple jumps and the triple Axel remain essential in men’s skating, Li realized that consistency, mental strength, and attention to detail often separate athletes at the highest level.

The demands of international competition also highlighted the importance of managing travel, recovery, conditioning, and mental preparation.

“I became more aware of my weaknesses,” said the 19-year-old. “I actually think that is a good thing because it shows me exactly where I need to improve.”

Looking Ahead

Although Li achieved several major milestones this season, he views those accomplishments as the starting point for even greater ambitions.

Li is preparing for the upcoming season while training in Taiwan. Rather than working with a full-time coach, he has adopted a more independent approach with guidance from a network of supporters.

“It has been a challenging but valuable experience because it has taught me to take more responsibility for my own training and development as an athlete.”

The skater has already selected the music for his new programs but is keeping the selections under wraps until later in the season.

“I hope fans will enjoy it when the programs are officially announced.”

Technically, Li is concentrating on improving the consistency of his triple Axel and quadruple jumps while continuing to develop his performance quality and artistic expression.

“I want to make them more consistent and reliable so that I can perform them confidently in competition.”

While Li hopes to become a more complete skater both technically and artistically, he has also set concrete competitive goals for the coming season.

“My biggest goal is to continue raising the standard of men’s figure skating in Taiwan. In terms of results, I hope to break further personal bests and consistently score above the 200-point mark internationally.”

Li expects to begin his international season at the Asian Open Trophy in Indonesia. Additional Challenger Series assignments remain under discussion.

As for 2026–27, he hopes fans will see a more mature and consistent athlete on the ice.

“Beyond rankings, I want to deliver performances that I can truly be proud of.”

Li believes his Olympic experience has given him a clearer vision of the athlete he wants to become and the role he hopes to play in Taiwanese figure skating.

“I hope I can help more people become aware of Taiwanese figure skating and inspire younger athletes to believe that even if they come from a country where winter sports are not very popular, they can still reach the world stage.”