Hong Kong triathlete Hilda Choi almost lost a finger. Now she wants National Games glory
Having bounced back from devastating blow on eve of 2023 Asian Games, Choi has unfinished business for Hong Kong
A swimming club where she did not like the atmosphere, an inspirational high school coach, bucketloads of perseverance and no little talent have combined to propel Hilda Choi Yan-yin to her home National Games triathlon start line.
After a serious hand injury ruled her out of the Asian Games in 2023, Choi parked thoughts of retirement and internally vowed to come back and represent Hong Kong on a similarly grand occasion.
She went on to earn her spot by finishing eighth in the Asia Championships in Turkey in August.
Now in the mainland Chinese province of Yunnan for the Hong Kong squad’s high-altitude, pre-Games camp, Choi said she would line up on Central Harbourfront on November 15 brimming with confidence, with her swimming, which had been her weakest discipline, having “finally clicked”.
“My previous technique … exhausted me,” she said. “Now I can move well and with more intensity. When I’m fatigued, I can hold my form. I’m not too tense, I relax and feel the water working with me.”