Hong Kong’s leading triathletes, Jason Ng Tai-long and Bailee Brown, experienced a mix of misfortune and exhaustion at the concluding races of the Asia Triathlon Cup in Xiamen, China. The event, critical for Olympic qualification points, saw their teammate Robin Elg secure a commendable third place. Ng and Brown, both integral members of Hong Kong’s mixed relay team that won a bronze medal at the Asian Games, faced an uphill battle in Xiamen after their successful stint at the Asia Triathlon Sprint Championships in Saudi Arabia two weeks prior.
Ng’s race was cut short due to a flat tire during the bike segment, a stroke of bad luck that halted his pursuit of crucial Olympic points. Brown, 24, managed a seventh-place finish, demonstrating strong cycling and running performances but was hampered by a sluggish start. She admitted to feeling the weight of a demanding schedule, having secured third place at the ATC race in Hong Kong just a week earlier.
The continuous racing schedule over three weeks was a strategic decision by Ng, 23, and Brown to accumulate points for Olympic qualification. However, the intensity and frequency of competitions proved challenging, with both athletes showing signs of fatigue.
Despite the setbacks, head coach Andrew Wright remained optimistic, viewing the efforts as a necessary gamble in the tight race for Olympic spots. Both Ng and Brown are locked in closely contested battles with Kazakh athletes Ayan Beisenbayev and Ekaterina Shabalina for qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the final decision expected to come down to the wire in May.
While a podium finish in Xiamen could have significantly boosted Brown’s chances, Wright acknowledged the value of the points she earned, emphasizing the toughness of competing in three consecutive weekends. For Ng, the unfortunate mechanical issue was a reminder of the unpredictability of the sport.
Amidst these challenges, Elg, the current Asian Under-23 champion, continued his impressive form, adding a podium finish to his recent string of top-10 results. Wright praised Elg’s potential, noting his talent and resilience in overcoming health issues during the pandemic.
As the triathlon season wraps up, the Hong Kong team looks forward to refining their strategies and preparations for the upcoming Olympic qualification events, with hopes of securing their spots at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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