Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3015738/hong-kong-hurdler-mui-ching-yeung-makes-comeback-after-injuries
Sport/ Hong Kong

Hong Kong hurdler Mui Ching-yeung makes comeback after injuries almost curtailed his career

  • Track star finishes second at Inter-City Athletic Championships at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground months after his family advised him to pack it in
Hurdler Mui Ching-yeung on his way to second place at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. Photo: HKAAA

Months after Mui Ching-yeung wasn’t sure whether he would compete again, the Hong Kong hurdler is making a comeback to prove persistence pays off.

The 26-year-old track star scored a victory of sorts when he finished second in the men’s 110 metres hurdles at the Inter-City Athletics Championships at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on Sunday – the same result he achieved at the same meeting five years ago.

But this time, his victory was cause for more celebration as he was coming back from injuries that threatened to curtail his track career.

Five years ago, Mui was considered the rising star of Hong Kong’s men’s hurdling, smashing a decade-long Hong Kong record in 14.26 seconds. He was considered for the Hong Kong squad to compete at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games until his form suddenly slipped away because of a series of injuries on his foot, back and hamstring.

Mui (right) with Cheung Wang-Fung (middle) and Chan Chung-wang. Photo: Chan Kin-wa
Mui (right) with Cheung Wang-Fung (middle) and Chan Chung-wang. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

“I was hit by a series of injuries over the past few years and even my family thought I should quit sport to secure a better future,” said Mui, who beat Hong Kong record holder Chan Chung-wan in the Singapore Open in March and reached the final of the Asian Championships in Doha the following month.

“I never thought of quitting despite these difficult years [of competing] and not achieving any results but thanks to persistence, I can say that I have started a new chapter in my sporting career.”

Mui is now back with the Sports Institute elite squad and he hopes competition with his two rivals would help Hong Kong produce better hurdlers.

Mui with two other gold medallists in April’s Singapore Open, Vera Lui and Cecilia Yeung. Photo: HKAAA
Mui with two other gold medallists in April’s Singapore Open, Vera Lui and Cecilia Yeung. Photo: HKAAA

Hong Kong record holder Chan won Sunday’s event in 13.98 seconds, while Mui finished second in 14.48. Cheung Wang-fung, the previous Hong Kong record holder, was third in 14.51.

Mui set his personal best time of 13.77 when he narrowly defeated Chan at the Singapore Open final to grab the gold medal. Chan’s Hong Kong record is 13.74 set at the Taiwan Open last year.

“My target is to run under 14 seconds this year and I will not take today’s result too seriously as I am coming back [from injury],” said Mui. “It’s a very healthy situation to be in to have the three of us competing in the 110 metres hurdles and pushing each other,” said Mui. “I sincerely hope our competition can move men’s hurdling forward in Asia, which is known for producing top hurdlers.”

Cecilia Yeung is on the mend and should return to competition next year. Photo: Winson Wong
Cecilia Yeung is on the mend and should return to competition next year. Photo: Winson Wong

Retired star hurdler Liu Xiang, of China, holds the Asian record of 12.88 seconds, while his compatriot Xie Wenjun won this year’s Asian Championships in 13.21 seconds, one of the fastest times for the year.

Meanwhile, athletic official Simon Yeung Sai-mo said star high jumper Cecilia Yeung Man-wai is on the mend after rupturing her Achilles tendon last month.

“She is a tough girl and she’s determined to go through this difficult period,” said Yeung, senior vice-chairman of Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association who is also a physiotherapist. “She probably needs six to eight months to recover but it should not affect her future as many athletes go through similar injuries.”