Indoor rowing: five Hong Kong rowers advance to online world championships after Asian qualifiers
- Chiu Hin-chun, Chan Chi-fung, Winnie Hung, Chan Tik-lun and Wong Sheung-yee will make their debuts at February’s online Worlds
- The finals will possibly be last race before the Hong Kong rowers take part in the all-important Olympic qualifiers
Top Hong Kong rower Chiu Hin-chun said he would push Olympic uncertainty to one side as he focuses on preparing for the World Indoor Rowing Championships.
Racing in his first regatta for more than a year – albeit online – the 2016 Rio Olympian and 2018 Asian Games silver medallist won the men’s lightweight 2,000 metres at the Asian qualifiers on Sunday in six minutes and 26 seconds.
Although the time is slower than his previous best of 6:15.8 on a static rowing ergometer, it was good enough for Chiu to make his indoor Worlds debut, along with teammate Chan Tik-lun, who finished second in 6:33.7.
With the Summer Olympics approaching and the Covid-19 pandemic showing no signs of easing, speculation is rife on whether the 2020 Tokyo Games – already postponed by one year because of the coronavirus – would even go ahead as scheduled.
The indoor Worlds, also a virtual event because of the pandemic, will be held on February 23-27 and will possibly be the last event for Hong Kong rowers ahead of the all-important Olympic qualifiers scheduled for May.