Hong Kong long jumper Chan Ming-tai wins at 2021 Athletics Series opener but rues being given just four attempts
- Hong Kong record holder limited to four attempts rather than usual six after organisers changed the rules
- Rio 2016 Olympian is targeting a second Games appearance in Tokyo this summer
Long jumper Chan Ming-tai won his event at the 2021 Athletics Series opening track and field meeting at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on Saturday but said he could have done better if he had been given six official jumps instead of four.
The Hong Kong record holder jumped 7.44 metres to win the event despite committing two fouls in the second straight local meeting held after an ease of the pandemic situation in the city.
Chan made only four attempts in the long jump and not the normal three jumps in the heat and three jumps in the final after organisers decided to limit the number of jumps as a precautionary health measure.
Track events, however, were allowed to start under normal practice apart from the 100 metres sprint, which saw a maximum of seven runners. At the preseason trial last week, only four runners were able to start in the race.
Chan said he was let down by the competition arrangements and could have jumped better had he been allowed more attempts.
