The Taiwanese pairing of Chan Hao-ching and Chan Yung-jan won their sixth career doubles title in Kaohsiung on Sunday, taking out Eri Hozumi and Miyu Kato, 6-4, 6-3, for their first title of 2016.
The title was a heart-warming achievement for the well-liked hometown favorites, but what they did after the final was even better. The Chan sisters pledged to donate all of their prize money to victims of the February 6th earthquake that struck southern Taiwan. The death toll of the devastating 6.4 magnitude quake has been reported at 116, with most of the victims oming from the collapse of the Weiguan Golden Dragon high-rise tower in Tainan. Of the 289 people rescued from the tower, 89 remain hospitalized.
“First title for us in 2016, so happy that we can raise these trophies at home,” Chan Yung-jan wrote on Facebook (post translated by Tapei Times). “Thanks to the entire staff of this great event and all the sponsors that made this tournament possible, and thanks to all the fans for their amazing support. Of course, thanks to my best partner Hao-ching.”
She then added: “Because of the devastating earthquake in Taiwan a week ago, we’ve decided to donate our prize money from this tournament to Tainan to support them. We had a similar experience before, so it’s time for us to give something back.”
The winner’s purse for the tournament is $17,724.