Tsui's strong anchor leg powers relay team to Hong Kong record
Sprinter Tsui Chi-ho is set to lead the Hong Kong men's relay team at the Asian Games after another record-breaking performance at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground yesterday.
The Hong Kong team, comprising Tsui, Tang Yik-chun, Lai Chun-ho and Ho Man-lok, came second in the 4x100 metres relay at the Inter-City Athletics Championships, but their time of 39.41 seconds bettered the Hong Kong record by a hundredth of a second.
The previous record of 39.42 seconds was set just last month in the Asia Grand Prix Championships in India by Tsui, who is also the 100m Hong Kong record holder, Lai, Ho and Yip Siu-keung. 'We have entered the men's and women's 4x100m relay teams for the Guangzhou Games in November and of course those four who set the Hong Kong record today are favourites for the team,' Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association chairman (HKAAA) Kwan Kee said.
The HKAAA selection committee will call a meeting to decide the team selections soon because they plan to send the athletes on a three-week training stint in the United States next month.
In yesterday's race, Hong Kong were lying third going into Tsui's final leg, and his powerful finish saw him overtake the Fujian runner in the last 10 metres to claim second place. The Taiwan team, who won all three legs of the Asia Grand Prix Championships in India, were first in 39.30 seconds. Fujian were third in 39.50.
'Taiwan are one of our biggest obstacles for a medal in the Asian Games,' said Tsui, who also won yesterday's 100 metres in 10.63 seconds. 'Japan and China are the two leading teams in Asia, while Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan will likely compete for a bronze medal,' Tsui said.
'There is still room for improvement for the team if we can improve our baton changes. If we can run close to 39 seconds in Guangzhou, we should have a good medal chance.'
Tsui will likely also represent Hong Kong in the 100 metres at the Guangzhou Games, while teammate Tang Yik-chun should get his chance in the 200m and the relay.
Distance runner Lai Hok-yan is expected to be the only non-sprint event representative, having already qualified in the men's marathon.
