Decathlon: The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story

What is a legacy? Surely, an Olympic medal leaves a legacy, especially a medal in the decathlon, considered the event that determines the greatest athlete in the world. For Taiwan’s C.K. Yang — the “Iron Man of Asia” — legacy in the country that he so proudly represented on the world stage was never a given. But in the eyes of the American Rafer Johnson, another kind of legacy would be forever secured.

A self-proclaimed “two-man United Nations,” C.K. Yang and Rafer Johnson were more than just fierce rivals. They were dear friends. After meeting for the first time at the 1956 Summer Olympic Games, Taiwan’s government sent Yang to UCLA to train with track and field superstar Johnson and legendary coach Ducky Drake with the express purpose of winning a medal at the next Olympics. Amid the dawning of the Civil Rights Movement, an ongoing Cold War, and attempted interference by the Chinese government, Yang and Johnson competed at the 1960 Rome Olympics, in arguably the greatest decathlon event in Olympic history. DECATHLON: THE CK YANG AND RAFER JOHNSON STORY is a loving tribute to their unique and almost miraculous symbolism as Black and Asian excellence join together in triumph at the highest level while the entire world watches along.

– James Paguyo

All films in the Taiwan Film Showcase (excluding screenings at Ultrastar Cinemas) are FREE for UCSD students, faculty, and staff with a valid ID.

Preceded By

Surfing Taiwan: Past, Present, Future

Directed by James Wicks

Three Taiwanese surfers reflect on the past, present, and future of surfing in Taiwan.