Decathlon: The Untold Story of C.K. Yang and Rafer Johnson Comes to HAAPIFest 2025
HAAPIFest is honored to announce the special screening of Decathlon: The C.K. Yang and Rafer Johnson Story, a powerful new documentary film directed by Frank W. Chen and produced by Brian Yang. The screening will take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton, located at 10609 Westpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042.
🏅 A Story of Rivalry, Brotherhood, and Breaking Barriers
Decathlon: The C.K. Yang and Rafer Johnson Story (2024) is a 45-minute documentary that tells the remarkable true story of two men from opposite sides of the globe whose destinies collided on the world’s biggest stage—the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
C.K. Yang, Taiwan’s most decorated Olympic athlete, and Rafer Johnson, a pioneering African-American athlete from the United States, were not only competitors in the decathlon, but also dear friends. Their rivalry is widely regarded as the greatest decathlon duel in Olympic history, with the gold medal decided by mere seconds. However, beyond the physical feats and emotional drama, the film explores the deeper narrative of two men who rose above race, politics, and Cold War nationalism to forge a brotherhood that would last a lifetime.
Set against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, civil rights struggles, and global division, the film is a heartfelt tribute to the power of sportsmanship, respect, and human connection. It captures how Yang and Johnson’s bond transcended borders and served as a beacon of unity during a time of global unrest—a message that remains deeply relevant in today’s world.
🎬 Meet the Filmmakers: Director Frank W. Chen and Producer Brian Yang
About Director Frank W. Chen
Frank W. Chen is a Canadian-Taiwanese director known for crafting visually rich and emotionally resonant documentaries. Born Weiyang Chen in Taichung, Taiwan, on May 6, 1981, Chen was raised in Taipei before emigrating to Vancouver, Canada. He studied Architecture at the University of Toronto and later earned a degree from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
In 2013, Chen transitioned from architecture to filmmaking when a chance encounter with former MLB pitcher Chien-Ming Wang led him to direct his breakout documentary, Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story. This deeply personal film followed Wang’s struggle to reclaim his career and was widely praised at festivals including the Asian American International Film Festival and Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, eventually earning a Golden Horse Award nomination for Best Documentary in 2018.
Chen’s work is known for its emotional depth, elegant pacing, and focus on Asian diaspora narratives. With Decathlon, he brings his signature storytelling lens to the inspirational lives of Yang and Johnson, continuing his mission to uplift underrepresented voices through sports and history.
About Producer Brian Yang
Brian Yang is an accomplished actor and producer whose diverse career spans film, television, and digital media. As a producer, Yang is passionate about telling stories that illuminate Asian American experiences, cultural identity, and social justice.
His producing credits include:
Linsanity – the critically acclaimed Jeremy Lin documentary, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival
Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story – a Golden Horse-nominated film
Snakehead – a gripping crime drama that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival
I Can I Will I Did – starring Tony Award nominee Mike Faist
Another Shot – the biopic of NBA star Stephon Marbury’s life in China
On the acting front, Yang is best known for his recurring role as Charlie Fong on Hawaii 5-0 and has appeared in series such as How I Met Your Father, Westworld, CSI: Vegas, Magnum P.I., The Blacklist, and The Path.
In addition to narrative films, Yang has also produced documentary specials for ESPN, Fox Sports, and hosted the iHeartMedia podcast Car Stories with Sung Kang and Emelia Hartford. His multifaceted career reflects a strong commitment to championing diverse storytelling across platforms.
📍 Event Details:
🎬 Film: Decathlon: The C.K. Yang and Rafer Johnson Story
🗓 Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
🎟 Tickets: Pre-Sale All-Access Passes Available Here
🎤 Special Guests: Frank W. Chen (Director), Brian Yang (Producer)
📺 Genre: Documentary, Sports
⏱ Duration: 45 minutes
🌟 Why You Should Attend
Discover the inspirational story behind one of the Olympics' most iconic moments
Meet the creators in person for an exclusive Q&A and photo opportunity
Celebrate the rich legacy of Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in sports and film
Experience a film that speaks to themes of unity, perseverance, and friendship—timeless values for today’s world
🎉 About HAAPIFest
The Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival (HAAPIFest) is dedicated to showcasing films that celebrate the rich, diverse stories of AAPI communities. Each year, HAAPIFest highlights works that educate, entertain, and inspire—bringing together artists, audiences, and activists from across the country.
Learn more at 🌐 www.haapifest.com
🔗 Quick Links
🎟 Tickets: https://www.goelevent.com/HAAPIFEST/Pass/Sale/
🎞 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usbdC5v3LX8
📘 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33049039/