Decorated Hong Kong swimmer Ian Ho eyes Asian Games joy, but PhD defence comes first
Mechanical engineering student Ian Ho aiming to build on historic National Games gold when he travels to regional version in September
Hong Kong swimmer Ian Ho Yentou still has his sights firmly set on Asian Games success in September, despite still being in off-season mode and working hard to complete his doctorate.
A mechanical engineering PhD student at Virginia Tech, the Hongkonger had previously said he hoped to graduate in the first half of 2026, and he revealed that he was still on track to meet his goal.
“I am definitely trying to balance my training with my research,” Ho said. “I have planned fewer competitions so I don’t need to be away so much. That being said, it allows me to have more consistent training heading into the Asian Games.”
A silver medallist in the same event at the Hangzhou Games three years ago, Ho revealed his next challenge in the pool would be the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour, a three-meet series in Monaco, Canet-en-Roussillon, and Barcelona spanning the final week of May.
“The Asian Games remain the target, I think I have more confidence coming off the National Games,” Ho, who will be 29 this month, said. “I have refined a couple more things and with the Games in September, I think I have a good stretch of time.