Hong Kong cyclist plans interior design career after sport – but first, 2028 Olympics
To Cheuk-hei is taking ‘basic courses’ as he makes flying start to new year at Asean Track Series after a grueling 2025 season
After reaching the end of last year physically and mentally drained, and fed up with racing his bike, To Cheuk-hei prescribed himself a long holiday in New Zealand.
A shock keirin gold medal from last weekend’s Asean Track Series (President Cup 2) handsomely validated the 26-year-old’s judgment. Refreshed and emboldened, To is plotting to secure the continental medals that have eluded him since he began competing full-time straight out of his secondary education at Sha Tin’s Lam Tai Fai College.
Studying of a different kind will feature in To’s future, with an interior design career in his sights when he finally grows tired of pedalling for 30 hours per week. “Since I was a child, I’ve loved seeing beautiful interior design, so now I aspire to create it myself,” he said.
Nonetheless, the invigorating combination of rest and success has left To sufficiently bullish to list his long-term target as getting a ticket for the [2028] Los Angeles Olympics, leaving his artistic ambitions on ice.
In a 2025 that culminated with the National Games in Hong Kong, To estimated he had no more than four straight days off.
“My mind and body told me I needed a proper break; I felt a little bit of hate for racing,” he said.