Hong Kong gymnast Chan Cheuk-lam outlines tearful struggle with ‘infections, recovery and injuries’ at World Cup outings

Hong Kong gymnastics prospect Charlie Chan Cheuk-lam has detailed her emotional roller-coaster journey to the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Cairo this weekend.

The 19-year-old joined teammate Angel Wong Hiu-ying in representing the city in the balance beam at international competitions, but injuries meant her participation was touch-and-go days ahead of the Egypt leg.

Chan ultimately completed her events, while veteran Wong, who won a historic bronze at the preceding Doha World Cup, also sustained an injury and was nearly forced to withdraw from the Cairo.

“I want to share some feelings here,” Chan wrote in an Instagram post, a day after finishing 13th and 12th in her beam and floor exercise events, respectively.

“This competition is probably one of the most profound. The period from leaving Hong Kong in January to now, I could not train in my usual way due to various reasons.

“I thought at the time that I would definitely miss the World Cup leg. That I’d better do my online classes at home.”

A short-notice injury assessment and call-up meant that Chan, a former Hong Kong junior star who dreams of qualifying for the Asian Games in Hangzhou this September, would be frantically packing her bags for the airport.

“It was not until one week before the departure that I suddenly received a flight ticket. I didn’t know what to do at the time and asked different people for their opinions,” Chan said.

“I didn’t realise that after departing there would be infections, recovery, injuries, et cetera. After assessing all sides, I decided to go. That time going to Doha was the first time I flew by myself. I was a bit nervous.

“We trained in Doha for 10 days. Training every day was very tiring, especially after two months without training.

“I just wanted to recover as soon as possible at every moment. But sometimes I really felt powerless. My body couldn’t keep up – my muscles were sleeping and it felt like something was missing.”

Part of a four-member squad – which included Wong and men’s vault pair Stone Shek Wai-hung and Ng Ka-ki, both of whom tested positive for Covid-19 during the campaign – Chan had been travelling and competing between Europe and Japan to avoid the lengthy Hong Kong quarantines.

“As the competitions came closer, I knew my recovery was not as good as it should have been,” she said.

“Also because I was hastily trying to recover I strained the back of my leg. I cried … Actually, I very rarely cry during practice because I don’t like to express my inner emotions too much.

“Before setting off, I had told myself everything would be fine and I should go with the flow – that there was no pressure. But athletes always want to leave it all out there, so it was also normal to have some invisible pressure.

“When we got to Egypt, actually I wasn’t fully prepared. My thigh muscles were getting worse and I was also anxious.

“Thankfully I completed both my events safely. Although I reduced the difficulty, it was a success. I tried my best. I really did.”

Chan thanked her coach and teammate Wong for her care and help throughout the campaign, then adding she would be “better prepared for the next competition”.

She also thanked team physio Dicky Chan for his “meticulous” treatment – “I know you always despise me for eating your crisps, but thanks so much for your care” – and fans for reading her lengthy post.

The quartet and back room staff will remain in Cairo for further training before their next World Cup event in Azerbaijan.