A Pledge of Victory: We’ll Make It!

NTU EMBA Gobi-11, a force to be reckoned with, held an oath taking assembly on Apr. 30 before the 4-day Gobi Desert Challenge scheduled on May 22. In fact, Gobi-11 consists of 3 teams; Teams A, B, and C. This year the number of Chinese business school teams from the Tri-State across the Strait is a record high: 2,500 athletes from 51 universities. According to Lin Yi-Jie, a superstar of super Marathon among the athletes, “Contenders beware; we have our strategies ready.”

The 112-km, point to point, Xuanzang’s route in question is not even a road. It is merely a series of coordinates scattered across a desert 1,500 meters above sea-level with diurnal amplitude of 40 degrees. Not a place for the fainthearted. The motto for Gobi-11 is “Start together, finish together!” Jian Kun-Zhong, head coach of Gobi-11, instructed the team members: remaining training till the last minute, don’t get hurt, keep it safe.

One thousand KMs of Group Training

NTU Gobi-11 A presented the “Gobi General’s Order”, a performance combining fitness, music, and dance to demonstrate the team’s training results after 9 months

The “Gobi-Goblin” presented by Gobi-11 B and C, a performance accompanied by the music inspired and adopted from the theme of “Yo-Kai Watch” to demonstrated their high spirit.

In the oath taking assembly the athletes demonstrated their readiness after extensive 9-month, 1,000-km training. As the voice-over in the music video of “1000 KM of Group Training” said: “It is a journey for self-actualization, but we know we are not alone.” The “Gobi General’s Order” presented by Gobi-11 A was a performance combining fitness, music, and dance to demonstrate the team’s training results after 9 months. The “Gobi-Goblin” presented by Gobi-11 B and C, a performance accompanied by the music inspired and adopted from the theme of “Yo-Kai Watch” anime demonstrated their high-spirited readiness.

Enjoy the Process and Set a Paradigm 

Dean Guo Ruei-Xiang, call sign Peter Pan, a Gobi Challenge veteran in the team every year since Gobi-7, talked about his Gobi Management: “It’s like we have 3 task forces; each is assigned with a different mission. TF A is our striking force aiming for victory; TF B will be our PR specialists to establish a paradigm; and TF C will be there to have fun and be supportive. This is our 7th deployment; we will conquer the limits and put ourselves to test beyond the extreme. We are NTUers; we are traditionally liberal, innovative, and vibrant.”

CEO Xie Ming-Hui, a member of Gobi-9, recounted on the historic missions accomplished. 2016 is the 20th anniversary of NTU EMBA, and Gobi-11 is a new milestone. In the end, NTU EMBA has been on this Challenge for 6 consecutive years since 2010 and won the Best Team Award every time. “Even so, we shall keep our cool heads and do what we do as NTUers; start together, finish together, and enjoy the process.”

Ke Cheng-En, a faculty member on the team, is tasked to wave off Gobi-11 at the start line and receive the athletes at the finish line. That is the reason for his call sign, Blown Sand: “You run like wind, the wind brings sands, and I shall be the sands.”

Dean Guo Ruei-Xiang, Dean of College of Management, handed over the banner to the captain of Gobi-11 A, followed by waving the banners together as a pledge for victory.

Super Marathon Lin Yi-Jie onboard; Li Ming-Zhe Lost 65KG

Gobi-11 consists of top managers with average age of 46. Among the team members are two high-profile runners: Lin Yi-Jie, who owns the title of champion of super Marathon in 4 extreme terrains, and Li Ming-Zhe, who is the COO of KKBOX. According to Lin, it will be a very different experience for him because this competition requires team efforts and unity just to be able to reach the finish line; it is not at all about individual performance.

Li Ming-Zhe, COO of KKBOX, already successful in losing weight through sports when he first joined NTU EMBA and attracted to Gobi Challenge, at which time he was 142 kg of weight. Almost a miracle, over the past year he had accomplished 7 semi-Marathon and 2 full-course Marathon, losing 65 kg on his way. But according to Li, “Don’t wait for miracle; it’s about determination.” The greatest challenge is taking the next step, said Li; it is not a one-off business; it’s about being with friends in sports and it will change your life completely.

Many businesses managed by NTU EMBA alumni members have also donated generously; they are Seattle Coffee, KKBOX, Lextar Electronics, Taiwan E-Go, Dolphin Logistics, Kingnet, Amulaire Electric Cars, Flying Wolf, A-So Shoes, Kang Chao Bilingual School, I-Care Health Institute, Dr. Wang, and Fong Shan Biotech. In addition, the Gobi-11 mascot, wearing standard orange Gobi-11 T-shirt, backpack, and sports cap, is designed by Lin Jing-Shen, CEO of Bone Collection. With tons of blessing and energy, Gobi-11 will ship out and confront the Gobi Challenge in May. 

Meeting the press. Lin Yi-Jie (left), a super Marathon veteran, and Li Ming-Zhe (middle), COO of KKBOX, who had successfully lost 65 kg through exercise.

Similar news 

“Start together, finish together!” NTU EMBA Gobi-11 Sworn-in for the Gobi Challenge - Source: China Times

Record-high applicants for Gobi-11 - Source: UDN news

NTU EMBA Takes On Gobi Desert Challenge for the 7th Time - Source: CTI news

Start Together and Finish Together; NTU EMBA for Another Gobi Marathon - Source: TVBS

“Start together, finish together!” NTU EMBA Gobi-11 Sworn-in for the Gobi Challenge - Source: CDNews