3 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong teens sail to victory at iQFOil Asian Championships
After a weekend of riding the waves, Hong Kong windsurfers Choy Wing-tung and Hung King were overjoyed when they were crowned winners at the iQFOil Asian Championships 2024 in Shenzhen in November.
The athletes, both 18 years old, came out on top of the Under-19 Women's and Men's categories, respectively, beating others from around the region.
It was the result of a lot of training and hard work, King said.
'There are many tactics and strategies that I have to plan before and during the race; there might be something unpredictable that you have to face and overcome,' he said.
It was the icing on the cake for the pair, who also won their respective youth categories for the 2024 Hong Kong Open Windsurfing Championships earlier that same month.
Hard work and sacrifice
Wing-tung began her windsurfing journey at eight years old.
'I signed up for various water sports classes with my dad,' the teen said, adding that she loved windsurfing because it was 'more challenging'.
Although King is considered the best in his age group in Hong Kong, he only started windsurfing around three or four years ago, thanks also to his father.
'My dad brought me into the sport. He tends to motivate me, brings me to different sports, and encourages me to try different activities,' King explained.
In addition to regularly attending school and completing assignments, Wing-tung is enrolled at Baptist University, while King is a student at Yew Chung International School. They spend most of their weekends training, usually in Stanley or Tai Mei Tuk. King's commute to Stanley takes an hour and a half by car, while Wing-tung's takes an hour.
In addition to long travel times, 'the training hours [are] pretty long compared to other sports', King explained. This leaves them with little free time, though they said it was worth it for their success.
Hong Kong windsurfer Choy Wing-tung is no stranger to sacrifice. Photo: Handout
Olympic dreams
Although windsurfing is allowed at government beaches, the sport comes with its own risks. During a difficult competition last year, King was disqualified after another athlete crashed into him, though thankfully he wasn't injured.
Last February, Wing-tung tore her ACL – a key ligament that helps stabilise the knee joint – during training, and she had to stop windsurfing for a few months.
Although she has been training her legs and working on her strength, she said the injury could still cause pain.
'I usually get pain during the race, but now I am used to it,' Wing-tung said.
The athlete admitted that her windsurfing dreams were in question since she was still trying to recover from her ACL injury. Still, she has her sights set on the highest level of competition.
'I would like to go to the Olympics,' she said.
