Tokyo 2020: all eyes on prodigy Cheuk Ming-ho as he attempts to become Hong Kong’s first men’s A standard qualifier at Olympic time trial
- 19-year-old targets becoming first Hong Kong men’s swimmer to make 200m free Olympic A cut
- Olympic qualification returns to Sports Institute on Sunday in behind-closed-doors event
The 19-year-old prodigy has set four Hong Kong records from 100-metre to 800-metre freestyle over the last three months but is still in search of Hong Kong’s first men’s A qualifying standard to reach the Olympics.
“It has been a hectic schedule over the past few months but still we have no excuse for not making another serious attempt on Sunday,” said the youngster. “I am still adjusting my training to such a demanding schedule and the pressure is there, as time is running short for the qualification.
Tokyo Olympics: Swimming prodigy Cheuk Ming-ho coming close to achieving the qualifying standard – ‘I just want to make it’
“I have no idea of how well I can attempt the target, but I just give my best, especially in the 200m freestyle.”
So far, only two female swimmers have made the A qualifying standard: Siobhan Haughey in three events (50m, 100m and 200m, all in freestyle) and Stephanie Au Hoi-shun (100m backstroke). The women have also qualified in three relays, the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle and the 4x100m medley.
Cheuk has already achieved three B standards (in 200m, 400m and 800m free) and is favoured to make it to Tokyo next month with a wild card if no other men’s swimmers can achieve the A standard. No Hong Kong male swimmer has ever made the Olympic A cut.
Cheuk’s 200m freestyle Hong Kong record of one minute and 47.61 seconds, which he set in the Division One Age Group competition last month, came closest to the A standard of 1:47:02.
“It will be my target on Sunday and I have to concentrate and do well every 50 metres to achieve it,” he said. “The 200m free is in the morning session and if I can’t make the standard, I will probably attempt it again in the afternoon through a split time in the 400m free.”
Tokyo Games: Cheuk Ming-ho smashes two Hong Kong records to boost Olympic hopes as swimmers return to the pool
Swimming head coach Chen Jianhong said he has offered specific training on Cheuk’s 200m free attempt and said it is now up to the swimmer to deliver in the pool.
“Cheuk is a major hope in the men’s event for the Olympic A cut and we have done the best we can. Let’s see,” said the coach.
Chen said they were also targeting the women’s 200m freestyle as the 4x200m relay team still needs one more swimmer to complete all four legs. FINA requires the relay to have two A standard and two B standard swimmers, but Hong Kong has only two A standard and one B standard swimmers, even though they qualified for the upcoming Olympics with an 11th-placed finish at the 2019 World Championships.
The relay qualification ended last month when Hong Kong made it in the women’s 4x100 medley relay on the last day while the qualification period for individual events concludes on June 27.
