Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:Instagram/@brandhongkong

Hong Kong’s triathlon team is getting ready for a big challenge this weekend. They will compete in the China National Championships in Xuzhou. This race is very important because it will help decide who gets to compete in the upcoming National Games in November.

Coach Andrew Wright said this race will show what the real National Games might feel like. He warned his team that the best athletes from mainland China will be there, and they’ll be trying hard to win. Earlier this year, some of them didn’t try their best in a test race in Hong Kong. But this time, things will be serious.

Hong Kong’s athletes only saw the race map for Xuzhou a few days ago. That’s why Coach Wright thinks the National Games in Hong Kong later this year will be better for his team. Still, he wants his athletes to give their best and not make excuses.

The men’s team includes Jason Ng Tai-long, Oscar Coggins, and Robin Elg. The women’s team includes Bailee Brown, Hilda Choi Yan-yin, and sisters Cade and Tallulah Wright. The men are strong in swimming and biking, so they will try to lead early. The women are stronger in running, so they need to stay close during the swim and bike sections.

Bailee Brown just returned to full training after she had to stop her last race due to tiredness and dehydration. That race was her first one since last October because she was injured. Coach Wright said it’s better this happened before the big race, as it reminded everyone how tough the sport really is.

Only the first Hong Kong athlete to finish in the top 20, and within 5% of the winner’s time, will automatically qualify for the National Games. The pressure is on, and the whole team needs to be ready.