Vera Lui hopes to break 60m hurdles ‘Hong Kong record’ at her first World Athletics Indoor Championships

‘Hurdle Queen’ targets personal best in Belgrade, as she embarks on lengthy overseas training programme ahead of 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games

‘It’s not easy to get this opportunity … I hope the race will be a success,’ Lui says

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The main goal for Vera Lui this year is the Hangzhou Asian Games in September, with the World Indoor Championships a warm-up meet for her. Photo: HKAAA

Published: 8:30am, 17 Mar 2022

“Hurdle Queen” Vera Lui Lai-yiu is hoping to set a new “Hong Kong record” on Saturday in her first World Athletics Indoor Championships (WIC) in Belgrade.

It’s been 27 years since Chan Sau-ying, the unofficial Hong Kong record holder in the 60-metres hurdles with 8.32 seconds, competed in the 1995 edition of the WIC.

Accompanied by her coach Tang Hon-sing, Lui boarded a direct flight to Serbia on Tuesday night for the beginning of a lengthy overseas training programme.

“At the moment, I’m more nervous than happy,” 27-year-old Lui said. “I’m worried I will contract Covid-19 on the plane.”

“It’s not easy to get this opportunity,” she added of the WIC and her training camp in Europe. “There are many people behind the scenes who made it happen.”

Vera Lui and her coach Tang Hon-sing left for Belgrade last night. Photo: Handout

Lui was awarded a wild-card for the indoor worlds by the Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) this month. Association senior vice-chairman Simon Yeung Sai-mo said they chose Lui because of her number of World Athletics (formerly IAAF) points.