Tokyo 2020: how Hong Kong’s Olympians have been coping, training and goal-setting in time of Covid-19

Tokyo-bound Jessica Lee, Michael Cheng, Grace Lau, Thomas Ho and Vivian Kong reflect on athlete life during pandemic
‘I really, really want to do well and bring some good news back home,’ says former world No 1 Kong

Sporting year in review 2020

Andrew McNicol

Published: 3:00pm, 30 Dec 2020

Why you can trust SCMP

As athletes around the world enthusiastically welcome 2021, not all the problems from Covid-19-stricken 2020 will disappear just like that. It has been increasingly difficult to remain optimistic amid the postponements and cancellations of hopes and dreams – but this is what true professionals do best: learn to overcome.

Hong Kong’s top representative athletes have been through it all: the mental toll of been locked down in a sports institute over winter and being unable to compete; not being able to access favourite equipment and resources for training; or having to inconveniently hop from country to country depending on Covid-19 cases or trajectories.

Having been subjected to months of makeshift arrangements and settling for less ahead of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics – now moved to next July/August – one thing remains the same. The quest for success.

With Hong Kong on course to send its biggest delegation to an Olympic Games (depending on whether preceding qualifiers go ahead), the city is desperate to celebrate something tangible after a nightmarish couple of years.

A technician sprays disinfectant on different surfaces of the gym at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Photo: Germagic

Hong Kong was represented by 42 athletes in London 2012 and 37 in Rio 2016.

Five athletes have shared their thoughts, experiences and objectives with the Post as we pass the seven-month countdown mark to Tokyo 2020. Will an extra year of preparation – be it in lockdown or quarantine of some kind – help Hong Kong to its most successful Games?

Jessica Lee Hoi-yan (right) with Hong Kong teammate Sarah Lee Wai-sze at the Track Cycling World Cup keirin in Hong Kong in 2019. Photo: Felix Wong

Jessica Lee Hoi-yan, cycling

Scotland-raised Lee secured her first Olympic spot thanks to teammate and 2012 bronze medallist Sarah Lee Wai-sze, who earned an additional place after qualified for both the sprint and keirin. The 30-year-old was recruited by team Hong Kong in 2017 and has never looked back. She will be spending the winter holidays locked down in Fo Tan’s Hong Kong Sports Institute, grinding away on her physical and technical routines.

“It’s been hard for all athletes in the world, but towards the second half of the year it’s been slightly easier because we’re all in it together facing the same problems.

“Unfortunately, no racing – and racing is a big part of what we do, it really is. It gives us focus and something to peak for, and when you take that out of the equation it can become very flat. Psychologically, you can get bogged down. For me, it’s been a good runway and training has been very head-down. But there’s nothing to train for. You take your head out the sand and it’s, ‘OK, what next?’

“But this is not going to get in the way of my goal – to get into the top 16 for sprints, and at least a minor final for the keirin. It’s my first Olympics so I’m not going to get too ahead of myself. I’m just going to enjoy it. It’s special to represent Hong Kong and put on the skin suit and go out there internationally. I have to keep reminding myself: it’s a lot of pressure. But I’m the type of athlete that, if no one puts pressure on me, I make sure I give myself plenty. Hopefully, the outcome is going to be as good as we have planned.”

Michael Cheng Chun-leung, windsurfing

Heading into his second Olympics after Rio in 2016, the 26-year-old Cheng explained why the Covid-19 pandemic has made training for Tokyo 2020 a completely different animal. After qualifying at the World Championships in Italy in 2019, the men’s RS: X sailboard specialist is no stranger to ambitious goal-setting and will be eyeing an improvement on his impressive eighth-place finish four years ago.

“This has been a difficult year training-wise. It has been on and off because the government closed all facilities. It is also pretty hard to stay motivated after all the cancellations of competitions. I’m still pretty confident that the Games will be held on schedule.

“This will be an even tougher Olympics than others. Athletes actually have more time to prepare themselves, so at the moment I’m training my physical aspects and building up the foundations. I’ve experienced this once before so I’m sure I’ll be ready by next summer.

“It’s always a pleasure and a privilege to represent my country and perform my sport at the Olympic Games. I’m hoping to do well in my second one. I aim to achieve my best result in next year’s competitions and finish on a high.”

Grace Lau Mo-sheung, karatedo

World number four in the women’s kata, Lau has had a rough campaign in terms of timing. The 2018 Asian Games and world championships bronze medallist was stranded overseas for eight months after Covid-19 travel restrictions kicked in. The 29-year-old had hopped between competitions and training camps in Dubai, Salzburg, Tenerife and Miami, with the unplanned trip to the US only because an event in Morocco was cancelled. Thankfully, Lau had already gifted herself Olympic qualification as an early birthday present.

“I just came back from the US after eight months. The Covid-19 situation didn’t affect my training programme that much and I tried my best to avoid staying in public places. I didn’t go to the gym but, fortunately, I had the equipment I needed to have safe and proper training.

“I have not changed my Olympic expectations. I hope I can get a medal for Hong Kong. I don’t think the postponement was a bad decision because safety is number one. Besides, I get more time to prepare, though I thought I was so ready to compete.

“Next year, [pandemic willing] I will participate in three competitions before the Olympics – two Premier League events and the Asian Championships. I hope I can execute the new techniques I learned this year and leave a good impression on everyone. To show everyone a new me and that I can do well in the Olympics.”

Hong Kong equestrian rider Thomas Heffernan Ho with his Olympic horse Tayberry in the UK this year. Photo: HKJC

Thomas Heffernan Ho, equestrian

Hong Kong’s only four-star rider knows all about Olympic uncertainty – he had to requalify in his eventing discipline to ensure a place in Tokyo. Previously calling it a “mentally challenging year”, the 31-year-old has been keeping himself lean while also training prized horses Tayberry and Shannondale Vintage. Having returned from the UK, the 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist would ideally be able to qualify the latter and one more horse if opportunities allow.

“I’m in Hong Kong so I’ve stepped away from my horse a little bit. I’ve been focusing a lot on myself using the Sports Institute, building my own fitness and strength and conditioning, taking full advantage of the physiotherapy and recovery facilities. I’m hoping to go back in January and start riding my horses and competing, to be honest. Hopefully, everything is OK in the UK.

“I’m still on the lookout for another horse to qualify. I’m hoping to qualify three in total. Tayberry is obviously fully qualified but the other two still have to. Hopefully, I can get to my hunting ground, Poland – I seem to do well there – at some point and get some results.

“I never thought the Olympics journey would be this long. It’s been a weird year because we were all geared up to compete, but nothing has really happened. I hope the Olympics can go ahead because a lot of people need a distraction. We’ve had some unlucky times and I think it would create unity in the world. Just maybe for those few split seconds people can forget about all these burdens.”

Vivian Kong Man-wai and coach Octavian Zidaru in a World Cup series event in Havana in 2019. Photo: Handout

Vivian Kong Man-wai, fencing

Former world women’s épée number one Kong is one of Hong Kong’s best prospects. The 26-year-old featured in Rio 2016 and was also the first Hong Kong fencer to win a World Cup medal before winning a world championship in 2019. A prominent advocate for mental health in athletes, Kong is especially optimistic that Team Hong Kong – alongside the rest of the sporting community – can bounce back from the pandemic stronger than ever.

“I’m feeling very motivated, physically and mentally, and excited to train. Coach Tavi [Octavian Zidaru] has been teaching me a couple of new, very cool, moves that I’m working on and it’s inspiring to learn new things every day – it reminds me of the creativity and artistic qualities of fencing. I’m counting down the days to the Olympics and channelling my energy towards keeping myself ready to fight soon.

“This year has taught me a lot more about myself, my appreciation for the sport, and what the Olympics mean to me and the world amid Covid-19. Seeing fencers around the world still training and being able to do what we love shows we’re all still hopeful and optimistic.

“A year without competitions has helped me focus on learning and being creative about fencing, rather than being stressed out about my results at every competition. I can’t wait. I think I will be super nervous but I tell myself that I’m just excited. I really, really want to do well and bring some good news back home!”