Hobie class sailor Tong Yui-shing sees plenty more medal chances following Asian Games bronze

After becoming what is believed to be the oldest Hong Kong medallist at the Asian Games, sailor Tong Yui-shing, at the age of 55, is still hungry for even greater success in the sport.

Tong, widely known as Tong Shing, a contraction of his names, has been in love with the sport for more than three decades. His recent achievements include winning silver in the Hobie 16 class at the two previous Asian Beach Games in Bali and Muscat, but the veteran had not stood on the podium at the Asian Games before claiming a bronze medal in Incheon in September.

"I thought about making these Asian Games the end point in my career, but after bagging the medal, I believe I can achieve more," said Tong.

"People congratulated me on having 'final luck' after finishing third in Incheon, but I don't agree," said Tong. "I don't think the medal came by chance. It is a reward for my years of hard work. And I am not retiring now."

Tong, now a full-time elite scholarship athlete at the Sports Institute, said he he has now trained his sights on gold at the next Asian Games in Jakarta. He will be 59 then, but is confident he has the grit to keep going.

"I see competing at a high level at the age of 55 as a miracle. Training full-time at the institute has boosted my fitness a lot. I feel like I am even fitter than I was at 35."

"Winning the bronze medal at this Asian Games guarantees me and my sailing partner, Tong Kit-fong, another four years of scholarships at the institute. I am not sure if I am going to train as a full-time professional during the whole period, but it is certain that I will keep going."

Tong said said he had a serious outlook on life, which had helped him succeed in the sport, as well as at work. This "fight for better results" spirit helped him gain promotion from a labourer to a manager at a stevedoring company. He emigrated to Melbourne, Australia, in the 1990s and started his own stevedoring business in 2000, when he decided to return to Hong Kong. He is also a local agent for Hobie Cat yachts.