Hong Kong triathletes ‘in great shape’, aim to turn National Games pressure into a positive
Head coach Andrew Wright talks up medal prospects, accepts responsibility for delivering on home turf to keep sport in spotlight
Andrew Wright has conjured plans that give his triathletes the best chance of delivering results for Hong Kong, but the head coach acknowledged he was feeling the heat ahead of the marquee Central Harbourfront National Games races this weekend.
The city squad have three men and three women competing in Saturday’s individual events, before six are trimmed to four for the mixed relay on Sunday.
Wright said the men’s and relay races provided an equal chance of medals for Hong Kong, adding: “We know how the provinces are training and we’ve seen them in races, we’re very comparable to the top athletes there.”
Although he had no qualms about talking up his athletes’ podium prospects, Wright said he was “100 per cent” feeling the pressure.
“Acknowledging that and admitting it gives them confidence that they’re not in it on their own, I’m s******* myself, too, going into these things,” he said.
As anticipation heightened towards competition day, Wright was constantly reminding the athletes that pressure was a positive thing that “helps you perform rather than crushes you”.