SWAG Goddess Team Claims Third Place in Major Dragon Boat Championship Debut
The SWAG Goddess Team claimed third place in the Women’s Large Dragon Boat Division at the 2026 Taipei International Dragon Boat Championships.
The “SWAG Goddess Team,” formed by creators from SWAG, Asia’s largest adult live-streaming platform, captured attention in last year’s dragon boat competition with its standout lineup. This year, however, the team proved its strength through performance, competing in the highly competitive Women’s Large Dragon Boat Division. After three and a half months of intensive training, the 19-member team secured third place, successfully transforming from a crowd favorite into a medal-winning contender.
Serving as the stroke paddler for this year’s race was Ex-Army Chief Counselor Neinei. To attend every training session, she traveled weekly between Taipei and Kaohsiung without missing a single practice.
“Watching everyone give their all last year was already inspiring,” said Neinei. “After joining the team myself, I realized dragon boat racing is an incredibly demanding sport that tests both physical endurance and mental determination.”
She recalled moments during the rainy season when she considered giving up. Team members often trained in heavy rain and then traveled home soaked from both rain and sweat. To maintain a firm grip on the paddle, Neinei’s palms were repeatedly blistered and scraped during training, while her thumbs were frequently bruised from contact with the boat. Yet seeing her teammates and coaches continue to push forward motivated her to persevere.
Neinei, a former Army Chief Counselor, served as the team’s stroke paddler.
Creator Mio, who has competed with the team for two consecutive years, said, “The training intensity, team chemistry, and determination to win were all significantly stronger than last year. Outside of practice, we regularly exchanged techniques and shared training experiences. I’m incredibly grateful to our coaches and teammates for their support and dedication throughout the journey. Seeing everyone step onto the podium was truly an emotional moment.”
After three and a half months of intensive training, the SWAG Goddess Team earned a podium finish.
Large dragon boat races place an even greater emphasis on rhythm and teamwork. To prepare for the challenge, the SWAG Goddess Team began structured training in March, holding weekly 90-minute sessions. The program was significantly intensified compared with the previous year, and many team members supplemented team practices with strength training, cardio workouts, and core exercises to ensure they were in peak condition for competition.
The 19-member team impressed spectators with its performance and attracted significant attention online.
The team’s impressive performance also generated significant discussion online. During the live broadcast, commentators specifically highlighted the team’s remarkable improvement, noting noticeable progress in paddling cadence, race rhythm, and overall teamwork compared with the previous year.
After three and a half months of rigorous preparation, the SWAG Goddess Team not only earned a place on the podium but also demonstrated that its success is built on far more than popularity—it is backed by the dedication, discipline, and competitive spirit required to paddle all the way to a medal finish.