Hong Kong’s surging track cyclist Yeung Cho to make World Championships debut in Paris
- 21-year-old Yeung will make use of the opportunity as she targets Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023
- Hong Kong will send riders for the women’s pursuit and Madison events, but the city’s men’s team will not compete
Track cyclist Yeung Cho-yiu will make her international debut at this week’s World Championships in Paris, with the youngster widely tipped as a future star for the Hong Kong team.
The 21-year-old will be the sole representative in the two individual sprinting events, replacing veteran Sarah Lee Wai-sze, as Hong Kong sends a squad of five riders – including youngsters Lee Sze-wing, Leung Po-yee, Yang Qianyu and Pang Yao – across four disciplines
Three riders have qualified for Hong Kong in the women’s team sprint, but with Sarah Lee instead focusing on her university studies, Yeung can only start in the individual sprint and keirin.
“Yeung has been making great progress recently but still takes time to reach the world’s highest level,” Shen Jinkang, the head coach, said.
“But she has plenty of room for improvement and taking part in the World Championships will be a massive experience that she has never had before.”
Track star Sarah Lee, a double Olympic bronze medallist, did not make her impact on the sport globally until she was 23, after she lifted her first Asian Games gold medal in the 500m time trial in Guangzhou in 2010.
“Our prime target is the Asian Games in Hangzhou next year and all the hard work and effort made at the World Championships is part of our build-up for the Hangzhou Games,” Jinkang said.
