Hong Kong teen targets 2028 LA Olympics after helping city quartet take relay bronze
Magnus Johannsson has eyes on greater prize after breaking city’s 200m record
A teenage sprinter said he had plenty of room for improvement after helping Hong Kong take bronze in the 4x100 metre relay at the Asian Athletics Championships.
Magnus Johannsson, who became the first city athlete to reach the finals of the 200m at the World Under-20 Athletics Championships last summer, ran the anchor leg as the team produced a personal best in South Korea.
The Hong Kong team – Johannsson, Chan Yat-lok, Lee Hong-kit and Kwok Chun-tingc – posted a time of 39.10 seconds on Saturday, finishing behind South Korea, who took gold in a competition record 38.49, and Thailand, who claimed silver in 38.78.
A day earlier, Johannsson clocked a time of 21.70 in finishing well out of contention in the 200m semi-finals. Compatriot Yip King-wai finished seventh in the final in a time of 21.16.
Still, the individual setback fuelled Johannsson, who was making his debut at the senior regional tournament.
“I’m glad I was able to anchor the relay team into a good result,” the 18-year-old said. “The training we have done over the past six months has paid off and I’m proud of all our athletes.”