Karateka Grace Lau ‘cool’ about carrying Hong Kong’s gold medal hopes at World Games
World No 1 says she just needs to perform at her level in the multi-sport event in Chengdu, and the results will take care of themselves
Grace Lau Mo-sheung said she had finally mastered how to perform at her level amid all the accolades, and her status as a world-leading athlete was no longer putting her under pressure during competition.
Speaking on Monday ahead of the second World Games of her career next month, the world No 1 karateka also said the multi-sport event was a competition she cared about.
“I was learning how to deal with my No 1 title last year as I truly felt the pressure,” she said. “I am all good this year, and after what I have learned, I won’t repeat the mistakes of the past and let them drag me down.
“I have felt fine this year, and I knew that I was not bothered any more given my performance in the Premier League and the Asian Championships.”
With three Premier League victories in four outings and a third consecutive regional title since the start of the year, the Hongkonger said she was “cool” about being the city’s gold medal hope in Chengdu.
“It’s not about any extra pressure or motivation now, I just need to perform at my standard [and the results will take care of themselves],” said the Olympic medallist, who won a bronze in Tokyo in 2021.