Taipei: Taiwan's national baseball team returned home Monday night to an enthusiastic and jubilant crowd, following their historic victory over defending champion Japan in the WBSC Premier12 Championship game held in Tokyo the day before.According to Focus Taiwan, the team arrived at Taoyuan International Airport at 8:47 p.m., marking a significant achievement as they secured Taiwan's first-ever gold medal in a top-tier international baseball tournament. Among the over 1,000 fans who gathered to welcome the triumphant players was Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (???), highlighting the national pride in the team's accomplishment.In a gesture to honor the team's victory, President Lai Ching-te (???) orchestrated an escort of four F-16 fighter jets for the plane carrying the baseball team as it neared Taoyuan airport. Upon arrival, the aircraft was greeted with a ceremonial water salute, further underscoring the nation's celebration.Enthusiastic fans, some of whom took half-day leaves from work, flocked to th e airport with posters and fan chants to express their support. Lin Shu-ping (???), a fitness coach and ardent fan, remarked on his admiration for team captain Chen Chieh-hsien (???), whose unwavering smile he found particularly inspiring. Lin even suggested that the day should have been declared "a public holiday for baseball."Taiwan's decisive 4-0 victory against Japan in the Premier12 final represented their first championship win in a prominent international tournament. Chen Chieh-hsien's pivotal three-run homer in the fifth inning and his leading .632 batting average earned him the MVP title of the tournament. His celebratory gesture as he rounded the bases sparked widespread discussion online, symbolizing pride in Taiwan.Upon his return, Chen expressed to the media, "it was very encouraging to hit a big homer at a key moment," and shared that his gesture was meant to convey, "we are players from Taiwan."