Harry Wright's Mantas Swimming Club celebrates 40 years of churning out Hong Kong champions

Olympic swimmer Hannah Wilson is ever grateful for the "international exposure" the Mantas Swimming Club gave her at a young age and believes that is what initially spurred her on to excel for Hong Kong on the world stage.

Although retired, Wilson tried to instil that inspiration among the younger audience at the club's 40th anniversary celebration at Hong Kong Football Club last night.

In between her duties as MC, Wilson relived her days as a mere babe in the pool, paying tribute to a club that has for the past four decades kept churning out champions.

"Having that opportunity to get exposure to international talent, and to experience racing in front of lots of people and being a part of a team, are invaluable from such a young age. This is what I got at Mantas from a young age," said Wilson.

Established in 1975, by the late captain Harry Wright, his wife June Wright and Brian Coak, Mantas Swimming Club aimed to provide young talent with opportunities to compete against other elite swimmers in Asia.

Today, 40 years on, Mantas has more than surpassed its goals, producing a host of champions who have gone on to represent Hong Kong, as well as other countries, at the Olympics.