After finally qualifying for World Games, ‘Iron Woman’ Jacqueline Lai is still chasing Olympic dream and Tokyo 2020

Equestrian rider Jacqueline Lai Jing-man still feels muscle stiffness after recovering from her fractured pelvis but that will not stop her from pursuing her goals in the sport.

Last year, the Hong Kong rider achieved her biggest success so far by qualifying for the 2018 World Equestrian Games which will take place in the United States this summer, just two weeks after the Asian Games in Indonesia, for which she also hopes to be selected.

“I have fully recovered from the injury which has made me stronger, physically and mentally,” said Lai, who will be featuring in the weekend’s Longines Hong Kong Masters, her third consecutive appearance in one of the biggest indoor showjumping events.

“Although I have to keep working on it (muscle stiffness) because of the injury, I have already put it behind me. Many athletes have come through the same recovery process and I am happy I have made it.”

A horrific fall during training in 2011 left Lai with a broken pelvis, which almost brought a premature end to her career. But she recovered miraculously and captured a silver medal at the China National Games two years later.

Lai, who turns 27 on February 15, is still referred to as the “Iron Woman” by her friends as she is left with 13 small metal plates and two to three larger pieces inside her pelvis which will remain in her body for life.

But her pursuit for excellence in equestrianism has never been affected, with the World Games and the Olympic Games her biggest targets.