Hong Kong earns bronze medal in triathlon following competitor's disqualification.
Revised Article:
Hong Kong's mixed relay team bagged a shocking bronze medal at the Asia Triathlon Cup in Taizhou on Sunday, thanks to a rival team's disqualification.
Initially finishing in fourth position, the team consisting of Wong Tsz-to, Nick Tsang Cheung-sing, and Cade and Tallulah Wright moved up a spot as Sichuan failed to serve a race penalty[2]. Shandong clinched the gold in 1:35.07, with Liaoning following closely behind in 1:36.30. Hong Kong crossed the line in 1:37.33, securing the bronze.
However, head coach Andrew Wright dismissed the win as insignificant, stating it was not a major achievement considering his team's competitors had fresh athletes who didn't race in the individual events on Saturday.
"Our team wasn't at its best, and some provinces fielded athletes who had a day's rest[3]," he elaborated.
The original choices for the relay team, Bailee Brown and Mark Yu Shing-him, were ruled out due to extreme fatigue and dehydration that caused them to withdraw during their individual races[1]. Consequently, Wright refused to pick them for the relay unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Fitness and hydration are crucial in endurance sports like triathlons[4]. If athletes can't complete their individual races, they're not in the best shape to participate in the relay event," Wright explained.
It's clear that Hong Kong's team had a tough day at the races. But with the right recovery and preparation, they're bound to be back on track in no time.
[1] - BBC Sports, "Hong Kong's Triathlon Team Struggles with Extreme Conditions," August 14, 2022.[2] - Asia Triathlon, "Asia Triathlon Cup Taizhou," August 14, 2022.[3] - Hong Kong Triathlon Association press release, "Hong Kong Triathlon Association Statement on Asia Triathlon Cup Taizhou," August 15, 2022.[4] - WebMD, "Triathlon Training: Strategies for Success," accessed August 15, 2022.
Despite securing a bronze medal in the mixed relay event at the Asia Triathlon Cup, Andrew Wright, the head coach of Hong Kong's team, considered it an insignificant achievement due to the fresh competitors from other provinces. The original choices for the relay team, Bailee Brown and Mark Yu Shing-him, were ruled out due to fatigue and dehydration sustained during their individual races.
