Beefed-up Law powers his way into Olympics
All that eating and deliberately putting on weight these past few months paid off for Law Hiu-fung yesterday when he booked his flight to Athens for the Olympics. Law won his semi-final in the men's single sculls at the Asian Olympic Qualification Regatta in Shanghai.
Law, who put on 10 kilograms in a bid to move up the scales from being a lightweight sculler to one capable of competing in the heavier open category, blitzed the lanes at the Shanghai Water Sports Centre to finish the 2,000-metre course in seven minutes and 5.68 seconds.
'It was an outstanding piece of rowing. Law made a very fast start, took the lead immediately and then left the others in his wash. He was smiling for the last 250 metres of the race knowing that he had it in the bag and that he was going to the Olympics. He is absolutely delighted,' said overjoyed Hong Kong coach Chris Perry.
Law, 20, needed to only finish in the top three to book an Olympic berth. But he was not willing to settle for second best and easily eclipsed the other five boats in his semi. Taiwan's Wang Ming-hui finished runner-up, almost eight seconds behind, while Uzbekistan's Vladimir Chernenko was third, 15 seconds adrift.
'Law was 21/2 lengths in front of the Taiwanese when he crossed the line and he was still looking good. He had a strong tail wind today and that benefited him. He says he still has something extra to give for the final [today],' said Perry.
China's Su Hui won the other semi-final in 7:02.38 at the man-made course just outside Shanghai. South Korea's Ham Jung-wook was second in 7:08.19, while India's Paulose Thomas was third in 7:11.80. The top three finishers from both semis will race in the final with Su the hot favourite.
'Law still has to turn up for the final and row in it to officially book his Olympic berth. But it doesn't matter if he finishes last ... he still will go to the Olympics. But he will be going for it, although it will be tough against the heavier Chinese who weighs 95 kilos which translates into power,' said Perry.
At 80kg, Law is still one of the lightest rowers in the men's singles sculls. But Perry says he won't be eating more. 'He doesn't have the frame to put on more weight. I would prefer he stays at this weight and hone his skill and technique.'
Law is already by far the best proponent in Hong Kong in the singles scull. Yesterday's time was a new Hong Kong record, breaking the old mark of 7:12 also set by Law at the Under-23 World Championship last year.
With one place booked for rowing in the Olympics, Hong Kong will attempt for a second berth today in the men's lightweight double sculls. Teenagers So Sau-wah and Lo Ting-wai will have to finish in the top three in the final to win a place.
'It will be tough because they are only 19 years old and are still lacking in power. But, hopefully, they can make up for it with their superior technical skills,' said Perry.
Four years ago at the Sydney Olympics, Hong Kong rowing was represented by Fenella Ng Gar-loc in the women's single sculls and Lo Sing-yan and Liu Kam-chi in the men's lightweight double sculls. The last time a men's singles sculler went to the Games was in 1996 in Atlanta, when Michael Tse Ka-tak took part.
