Asian Karate Championships: Grace Lau bids for regional crown in Uzbekistan
- Hong Kong’s world No 2 is hoping to extend her 11-podium streak in Tashkent, where the action gets under way on Sunday
- ‘I hope to challenge for a gold medal this time,’ Lau says, admitting a tough 2022 has left her ‘putting a lot of pressure on myself’
Grace Lau Mo-sheung is hoping to extend her 11-podium streak at the Asian Karate Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as Hong Kong’s newly ranked world No 2 goes in pursuit of a regional crown.
The 31-year-old Lau was promoted two places in the World Karate Federation’s most recent rankings list, a timely boost in her bid for a gold medal, which will begin on Sunday.
“I’m really happy to finally be in the world’s top two,” Lau, who arrived in Tashkent on Wednesday morning from her training base in Miami, said. “I hope to challenge for a gold medal this time.”
The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist has two silvers and two bronze medals from the Asian Championships, with the most recent being a third-place finish a year ago.
“To be honest, I put a lot of pressure on myself this year. It has not been an easy year for me,” Lau added. “Regardless of tournament results, I spent more time analysing my weaknesses, hoping to make myself stronger the next time and to maintain a high level as much as possible.”
The city’s kata queen has proven her worth with 11 consecutive medals from all events since 2020, including three silvers and two bronze medals this year.