Hong Kong’s Triathlon Challenges and the Need for Change
Head coach Andrew Wright has voiced concerns that Hong Kong is failing to fully tap into its potential in triathlon, pointing out that the city is not following the lead of mainland China in developing athletes. According to Wright, the mindset shift in mainland China has significantly raised the bar for Hong Kong athletes competing in the upcoming National Games on Central Harbourfront in November.
In the past, winning triathlon medals at the National Games was relatively easy, but this has changed. Wright notes that before, China had only two or three good athletes in total, but now every province is expected to bring three high-calibre men and women. This change has been driven by a need to meet Olympic standards, as the China Triathlon Sports Association faced the risk of losing funding if none of its athletes qualified for the Paris Olympics last year.
Lin Xinyu’s 28th-place finish in the women’s race helped ease some fears, but it also highlighted the need for improvement. Wright believes that the approach used in other parts of the world—where coaches move swimmers into triathlon if they are not at the top level—should be adopted in Hong Kong. He argues that there are many swimmers in Hong Kong who could transition to triathlon, but the system hasn’t caught up with this opportunity.
Hong Kong’s only representative in the men’s race was Jason Ng Tai-long, who withdrew during the bike segment after struggling in the swim. Wright emphasizes that even a second-tier swimmer could excel in triathlon within two years. However, he points out that Hong Kong is focusing on developing athletes at a much later stage, hoping for results after a decade, which he believes is not effective.
Wright, who grew up as a swimmer but never made it to the top, shares his personal experience. At 18, he was asked to enter an aquathlon selection race and beat all the city team athletes. This experience led him to pursue triathlon, where he finished seventh in the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010.
Despite his achievements, Wright faces challenges in convincing the sports associations and HKSI to support athlete development. He feels that the focus should be on talent acquisition rather than just funding. “You can throw as much money as you want at a programme, but if you don’t have the right talent moving into it, you’ll never get results,” he said.
Chinese triathlon has also benefited from hiring overseas coaches, which has brought in new knowledge and improved training methods. Unlike in some other sports, where Hong Kong athletes face unknown competitors, Wright says that regular continental cups have allowed his squad to race against and beat potential podium contenders.
Wright is confident about the depth of his current squad, which includes Oscar Coggins, Robin Elg, Wong Tsz-to, Bailee Brown, Hilda Choi Yan-yin, and Cade Wright. He believes their depth is significantly better than in the past. However, he acknowledges that the current situation is not ideal, with only four men and four women being considered for spots despite 30 years of HKSI Tier A funding.
Wright suggests that adding aquathlon to school competitions would unlock more talent. He is surprised that this has not happened yet, given Hong Kong’s size and resources. He believes that with the right approach, Hong Kong could become one of the strongest triathlon nations.
Despite these efforts, Wright expects to be picking from the same pool of athletes for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. While there are some juniors, they may not be ready for competition for another eight years. He remains focused on the immediate goal of securing top 20 finishes rather than medals.
The pressure to deliver results is high, as failure to secure National or Asian Games medals could affect funding. Wright is grateful for the opportunities provided by hosting World Cups and the National Games, which have brought attention to the sport. However, he believes that a significant result would be the ultimate goal.
A pre-Games altitude camp with Liaoning province athletes in Yunnan aims to ensure Hong Kong’s triathletes are in the best shape possible. Wright draws inspiration from his grandfather, a former swimming coach, whose legacy continues to influence his coaching philosophy.
Wright’s former athletes have gone on to successful careers, thanks to the values instilled through elite sport. He sees triathlon as a privilege, emphasizing the importance of discipline, resilience, and grit. He believes that the sport offers a unique opportunity compared to other forms of work.