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Jacky Wong

Name: Lau Cheuk-chi

Birthday: November 1, 1981

Birthplace: Hong Kong

Main sport: Triathlon

Occupation: Student

Sporting achievements: Sports Development Board  Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards for the third quarter of 2000; third in women's 16-29 age category at the Desaru Half-Ironman Triathlon; second in the Asian Triathlon Series: Macau Triathlon 2000; first in the Asian Triathlon Series, Sabah in Malaysia 1999

You have just received the Out standing Junior Athlete Award  from  the Sports Development  Board (SDB). What significance does the award hold for you?

It's very encouraging. I  had already been nominated for the award twice, but had failed.  So, when I  finally won the award, I was very excited and thought my efforts had paid off.

I believe that if you  put an effort into everything you  do, you will receive your rewards.

How long  have you been do ing the triathlon? What made  you  take it up?

I have been doing the triathlon for two years, so there's a lot of room for improvement.

Actually, I learned swimming first. A friend suggested I try a duathlon competition. It was fun.  My  performance in the competition impressed coaches from the Hong Kong Triathlon Association and they suggested  I undergo training.

Is the triathlon hard to learn?

Triathlon is a tough sport which requires very good physical fitness.  It's quite hard to  do it well but if you keep on practising and do more  aerobic exercises, you will find the event quite easy to handle.

What is your training regime?

I train  six days a week. Each day is divided into two sections and involves a total of four hours. The training covers swimming, cycling, running and physical fitness. It's quite intensive.

How many awards have you received so far?

I came third in the women's 16- 29 age group at the Desaru Half-  Ironman Triathlon   in five hours and 17.52 minutes. I  was also the first runner-up at the 2000 Asian Cup Series junior category.

Are you satisfied with your performance this year?

I'm quite satisfied. As I was first runner-up at the Asian Cup Series, it meant my result is up to international standards. However, I'll continue to work hard to improve in my weakest event - swimming. I want to swim faster to reduce my finishing time in competitions.

What are your goals for 2001?

I want to be among the top three triathletes in the Asian Championship that will be held in Malaysia next May.

Which event should people new to the sport start with?

Swimming.  If you can't swim, you can't continue in triathlon.

Is it hard to study for the A- levels next year and train at the  same time?

Not really. If I manage my time properly, I can perform well in both my studies and the triathlon. I do not attend school. I study for  the A-levels by myself because I want to  do computer studies at a tertiary institution in Hong Kong.

I spend at least four to five hours a day studying. The triathlon has trained me to be a disciplined person. So I think I can take  the initiative myself in my studies.

Do you think tertiary institutions will consider your sport ing achievements?

Yes, they will. Last year, a university offered me a place after I submitted a record of my sporting achievements. I'm glad that universities have changed their attitudes towards  entrance re quirements and do not only focus on academic results. But, of course, one should also perform well in one's academic studies.

What has the triathlon given  you over the past two years?

It has given me good health and willpower. It has also widened my circle of friends.

Without participating in the sport,  my world would be confined to the school environment. Without the sport, I don't think  I would be strong and brave enough to deal with adversity and problems.

What do you think about the  development of triathlon in  Hong Kong?

Hong Kong has made its name in Asia by producing some outstanding triathletes, such as Lee Chi-wo, who have got good results at international contests.

Also more people  are showing an interest in the sport  and training courses are always full now.  If the Government gave more support to triathlon, its development would take off.

What is your advice for peo ple who are new to triathlon?

There's no shortcut. They should learn step by step. They should do well in one sport first then learn the others. Definitely, regular practice  makes perfect.

Besides triathlon,  what oth er sports do you like?

I'd like to try rock-climbing.

Do you think the Govern ment has done enough to pro mote sport?

Yes,  it has  improved its promotion of sport.  It has provided more financial assistance to support associations and the  SDB has done a good job to promote sports across the  SAR.

What we need is more sporting facilities.

Graphic: YPSPORGLO



Triathlon gives the will to win