Hong Kong relay team of 5 become first to swim across English Channel and back
Led by ex-national representative, they perform feat for ‘Wheel for Oneness’ initiative, which promotes inclusion for people with disabilities
A team of five swimmers from Hong Kong completed the English Channel two-way relay last weekend, becoming the first from the city to achieve the feat.
Led by former national swimming team member Eliza Chang Lai-shan, passionate open-water swimmers Melody Cheung Man-ling, Miu Tanaka, Ringo Chan Chi-wah and Alvin Tam Ka-po combined to finish the approximately 110km (68.4-mile) feat in 25 hours and 32 minutes on Friday and Saturday.
On a solo basis, the first Hongkonger to cross the Channel was Mak Chun-kong, who in September 2020 swam across the waterway in 13 hours and 55 minutes.
The team last weekend had done the swim to raise funds and awareness for the “Wheel for Oneness” initiative, which promotes inclusion for people with disabilities.
Team captain Chang, who is a practising lawyer in Hong Kong, said the five of them had sent an important message to Hong Kong and the world.
“There are no age limits to a love for sports,” said Chang, who serves on the board of directors of the Hong Kong Sports Institute and is a member of the Hong Kong Sports Commission, which advises the government on sports development, promotion and funding.