While Taiwan has escaped much of the worst of the pandemic, international chaos has impacted the lives of many. Pro athletes who rely on global championships have had it harder than most. For pro pool player and world champion Chou Chieh-yu, pandemic life has meant a complete pivot for her career. She''s now focusing on teaching pool as well as a challenging new business venture. Let''s head to New Taipei to find out more
Pool player Chou Chieh-yu flourishes the cue as only a professional can. She''s been playing almost 20 years and brought home many national and international titles, even becoming the youngest-ever champion of the Amway Women''s World Open. Now she teaches at her own school, helping guide the next generation.
Despite her global successes, Chou has a patient and generous demeanour with students. And as the pandemic wreaks havoc on athletes'' livelihoods, she has a new venture: running a stir-fry restaurant.
Chou Chieh-yu
Professional pool player
Because of the pandemic, many international tournaments have been suspended, which means, apart from my teaching, I don''t have tournaments to attend. I previously had researched with friends this idea of opening a restaurant.
The pandemic cut Chou''s income by two thirds overnight. But she stayed positive, investing NT$1.5 million in a joint restaurant venture in New Taipei''s Luzhou District. Spread out over two floors and 35 pings, the second floor is a pool hall of eight years'' standing. Business is busy for Chou, but she keeps playing - after all, who doesn''t want to try their hand beside a champion?
Chou Chieh-yu
Professional pool player
In the daytime, we get mostly office workers and business lunches. In the evening and at weekends we do some little family style stir-fry dishes. It''s my first time running a restaurant. There are lots of things I didn''t understand but I''m slowly trying things out.
Chou takes an interest in every aspect of the restaurant, right down to keeping the shop sign sparkling. She wants her food to be known for attention to detail, just like her cue skills.