A Taiwanese baseball fan died of a heart attack as his side suffered what was widely considered a humiliating defeat to China in the Olympic baseball comptitition, it emerged Saturday. ( dpa )
The 74-year-old pensioner from Kaohsiung - identified only by his surname Huang - had been a baseball fan all his life and never missed a game on TV, the Central News Agency (CNA) said.
Hopes had been high for a medal as baseball is Taiwan's national sport, while China began training players only five years ago, and Huang - like all Taiwanese - expected an easy win over China.
But in Friday's game, China put up a strong defence and the game was tied 3- 3 in the 10th inning, leading to extra innings which China went on to win 8-7 as the tension and frustration built up.
As the TV pictures showed the Chinese spectators jump and scream with joy at the Wukesong Baseball Field 2, Huang breathed his last, CNA said.