Trying times for triathletes

Biking trains the lower part of athletes’ bodies and stretches muscles. (Courtesy of Hong Kong Triathlon Assciation)

Poor transition wastes valuable time and energy during competitions.(Courtesy of Hong Kong Triathlon Assciation)

Athletes taking part in Asian Triathlon Championship in India, 2003. (Courtesy of Hong Kong Triathlon Assciation)

By Antony Tam

Race as you train. Train as you race. Triathlons take up 90 per-cent of his everyday life, claims an elite triathlete.

Samuel Leung, a 20-year-old, full-time athlete, has competed in triathlons for 5 years.

He was the champion in the Elite Men’s Junior event in the Asian Cup Series in 2003.

Hong Kong Triathlon Association’s Assistant National Coach Wan Shu Wah said, “The triathlon is a challenging sport which tests athletes’ endurance.

“It is a sport event composed of swimming, biking and running.

“It is energy-consuming to finish all three athletic disciplines within an hour or two without rest.”

Junior athletes below 19 are advised to take part in sprint events, including a 750-metre swim, a 20-kilometre bike race and a 5-kilometre run.

Olympic events, which comprise a 1,500-metre swim, a 40-kilometre bike race and a 10-kilometre run, are more suitable for those aged 19 or above.

Said Mr. Wan: “Triathlons attract athletes of different ages.

“The youngest are only 8 years old and the oldest are 70 years old.”

For athletes of different ages, there is a slight difference in training.

Said Mr. Wan: “Junior athletes spend more time swimming because it is easier to improve swimming skills when they are young.

“Training is less intense, but longer in duration.”

Conversely, training for athletes aged 19 or above focuses on biking and running.

Besides basic training at a sports ground and a swimming pool, athletes have to attend training in the countryside and at beaches on Sundays.

Mr. Wan said, “It is more efficient to have practice there because athletes can try more than one athletic discipline.

“At beaches, athletes can practice swimming and then running. This strengthens their endurance and familiarizes them with situations they may face during competitions.”

Triathlons are good for both the athletes’ bodies and minds.

Said Mr. Wan: “The three athletic disciplines of a triathlon are all aerobic. These improve athletes’ aerobic endurance so that they can adapt to long-distance competitions, which require much physical strength.

“Swimming trains the upper part of the body, especially the heart and lungs.

“Biking and running train the lower parts of the body and stretch the muscles.”

From the sport, Mr. Leung learned the importance of cooperation with team members.

“Some may think that a triathlon is an individual sport event.

“However, it requires teamwork.

“During biking, drafting needs cooperation among team members.

“Athletes can follow closely behind other members in the slipstream to save energy,” said Mr. Leung.

The tough training has helped him to curb his temper.

“In the past, I did whatever I liked.

“I found it hard to accept coaches’ advice and often quarreled with them.

“However, triathlons have trained my persistence.

“I now understand patience is a prerequisite for an athlete,” said Mr. Leung.

He has also learned the importance of time.

“In triathlon competitions, the time used for changing clothes and putting on shoes is included in an athletes’ shift from swimming to biking and from biking to running.

“The transition between each event requires training.

“A poor transition wastes precious time and energy during the race,” said Mr. Leung.
He now seldom gives up.

Said he: “My friends often think that it is hard to finish the whole distance because it uses up a lot of energy.

“Some even thought of quitting because no obvious improvements were seen after several months.

“I have already broken through this barrier. As long as I prepare well and utilize my energy efficiently, it is not difficult to finish the whole distance.”

Despite their tough nature, triathlons seem to be gaining in popularity among athletes.

In 2002, there were 690 members in the Hong Kong Triathlon Association. Members in the association have to renew their membership annually.

In 2003, there were 760 members. Since the start of 2004, the association has had 700 members.

The number is expected to increase to 800 by the end of this year.

Jessica Fan and Crystal Wong, both 15, have participated in triathlons since 2002. In just 2 years, they have become members of the national squad’s Female Elite Junior category.

Ms. Wong said, “Triathlons are challenging.

“I was once a member of the national swimming squad, but I find triathlons more interesting than just swimming.

“I also need to learn more swimming techniques because I encounter more difficulties when swimming in the sea than in a swimming pool.

“For instance, I have to be faster than others to jump into the water and learn how to resist the crash of a wave.”

In 2002, 19 affiliated clubs started providing basic training for beginners, and the Hong Kong Triathlon Association started focusing on training elite athletes.

Said Mr. Wan: “There are more chances for beginners to learn the sport.

“Even if they do not know how to swim and bike, courses offered by affiliated clubs can surely help.

“Before devoting themselves to triathlons, I suggest beginners take part in an aquathlon if they can swim and a duathlon if they can bike.”

An aquathlon includes swimming and running. A duathlon is a run-bike event.

No regulations on the distances for the two events are set.

“These two require less physical strength and beginners may find them easier to learn,” Mr. Wan said.

Regarding the future of triathlons, Mr. Wan feels that the sport should be promoted further in the territory.

“Hong Kong athletes obtain good results mainly in Asia.

“Compared with European and North American athletes, Hong Kong athletes lag behind.

“This is because sport culture is not well established in Hong Kong,” Mr. Wan said.

To promote sport culture, the association organizes talks at schools and fun fairs.

However, despite the increase in membership at the association, there is still pessimism about the future of triathlons.

Said Mr. Leung: “Many Hong Kong people are very busy and may find it difficult to squeeze in time to play sports, not to mention to practice intensively for triathlons.

“Also, the government intends to cut back the Hong Kong Sports Development Board, which is the main financial source of the Hong Kong Triathlon Association.”

Irrespective of the future situation, Mr. Leung will try his best to achieve better results, hoping that Hong Kong people will attach greater importance to triathlons and make them better known.

“I hope I can get a higher world ranking and represent Hong Kong in the Asian Games or even the Olympic Games.

“In the next decade, I will continue my devotion to triathlons.

“Triathlons give me a new life,” said Mr. Leung.

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