How Hong Kong harbour swim racer beat his fear of drowning to be a triathlete
Hui Yiu-pin couldn’t swim and had nearly drowned three times when he took up triathlon, inspired by story of father and his disabled son finishing an Ironman. Now he’ll try to swim Victoria Harbour
Inspired after watching a documentary about father-son duo Dick and Rick Hoyt a few years ago, in which Dick Hoyt pushes his severely disabled son through an Ironman triathlon, Hui Yiu-pun made a decision. He had weathered his fair share of challenges and, like the Hoyts, was determined to reinforce his spirit through the endurance sport of triathlon.
“At the time, triathlon was like this distant dream for me,” says 34-year-old Hui. “There are three sporting disciplines you have to combine in one effort, and a lot of things have to come together for you to succeed.”
The biggest obstacle was that Hui had never learned to swim, and had had three near-drowning experiences. Undeterred, he got himself a coach and dived into the world of triathlon. “I felt like it would be a good way to test my limits,” he says.
Besides, it would be nothing compared to what he had faced in the past: in December 2009 he donated 70 per cent of his liver to his mother, who was suffering from cancer. Four years ago, he lost his older brother, a long-time sufferer of mental illness, to suicide.
