Asian Games gold medallist Yang considers retirement U-turn, has discussed move with Hong Kong cycling coach Dagorne
- Yang Qianyu says she misses sport months after tearful retirement announcement following women’s road race gold in Hangzhou
- But 30 year-old, who says her knees feel like ‘older people’ won’t rush into a decision on return
Months after winning gold at the Asian Games and then tearfully announcing her retirement, Hong Kong cyclist Yang Qianyu said she was considering a return to competition.
The women’s road race champion told reporters after he triumph in Hangzhou she “didn’t have the energy for more competitions”, but now realised she missed being away from the sport.
Spending time with her parents in China and away from the intense training programmes that dominated her life as part of the Hong Kong team had crystalised her feelings, the 30-year-old said.
“I am not used to this kind of life and felt I need to exercise to feel comfortable,” Yang said. “I started hitting the gym and began to run, but then my knees were so painful after 10 kilometres.
“My knees couldn’t stand running because it’s too damaging, I can’t even walk, so I went back to my bike every day.”
