Hong Kong mountain biker Chan Chun-hing looks set for Rio Olympics
34-year-old turns in an impressive performance at the Asian Championships in Malaysia
Veteran mountain biker Chan Chun-hing has all but booked his place at the Rio Olympic Games after an impressive performance in the Asian Championships in Malacca, Malaysia on Sunday.
The 34-year-old, who made his Olympic debut in London in 2012 and was a silver medallist at last year’s Incheon Asian Games, came third in the 36-kilometre race, behind champion Kohei Yamamoto of Japan and Wang Zhen of China.
I would have retired and become a coach if I failed to qualify
The top two riders automatically get a Rio berth but as Japan are currently 22nd in the world and likely to get through under Olympic rankings, this leaves China and Hong Kong to go through from the continental championships.
Chan shrugged off a serious knee injury suffered two weeks ago in Kunming during training to take part in the race in Malacca.
“I would have retired and become a coach if I failed to qualify,” he said. “Now the result seems to be fine and I will focus on one more year in the sport.”
