Taiwanese sprinter Yang Chun-han shocked by reaction to him in Hong Kong

Two-time Asian Games medallist Yang Chun-han said he was surprised to be mobbed by the next generation of sprinters after easing to the 200 metres title at the Hong Kong Athletics Championships on Sunday.

Competing in the city for the first time, the Taiwanese was working towards this month’s Asian Championships in South Korea, in which he will attempt to regain a crown he won eight years ago, when he was 20.

And as he stepped up his preparations at Wan Chai Sports Ground, he praised his young local rivals for their desire to learn from his experience.

“I was shocked, because I had no idea so many athletes knew about me here,” said Yang, who also won Asian Games silver in Jakarta in 2018 and bronze in Hangzhou five years later.

“The level of self-discipline of the young athletes here is very high. They were eager to train and gain more knowledge. They would approach me and initiate conversations with me, so this is a pleasant surprise.”

On the track, Yang crossed the line first in 21.02 seconds, having opted to slow down as a precaution in the second half of the race after feeling “a bit of cramp”.