Paris Olympics: Hong Kong rower Chiu vows to come back stronger, after historic finish
- Chiu Hin-chun finishes 20th overall, the best result for a Hongkonger at a Games, after coming second in D final
Rower Chiu Hin-chun was adamant he would not be aiming for just a No 19 finish at the next Olympics after his journey in Paris ended on Friday.
The Hongkonger became the first from the city to rank among the top 24 rowers at any Games before settling for the 20th spot, crossing the finish line second in the men’s single sculls D Final at the National Olympic Nautica Stadium.
“I won’t be targeting just No 19 the next time,” Chiu said. “I did the best I could in Paris but there is always room for improvement so let’s see what I can do.”
The 29-year-old was in a leading position for much of the race and was only overtaken by Quentin Antognelli of Monaco in the final 200 metres.
Antognelli topped the group of six rowers with a time of six minutes and 54.93 seconds; Chiu clocked a time of 6:56.65, yet another personal best for him in the French capital and Egyptian Abdelkhalek Elbanna was third in 6:58.44.
“I felt like I was racing Usain Bolt in the final 200 when Antognelli charged forward,” Chiu, who won a World Cup gold medal in Switzerland just before the Paris Olympics, said.