Hong Kong athlete Alton Kwok Chun-ting said he believes he has the skills to achieve his lofty goals this year and in the not-too-distant future.
The confident 18-year-old was the fastest under-20 athlete in Hong Kong, clocking 10.36 seconds in the 100m at the Asian Under-20 Championships. The current record holder is Chan Yat-lok with 10.34 seconds in the same event.
“I want to reach the final at the U20 World Athletics Championships this summer; I want to stand on the Asian Games podium, but I don’t have to be in Nagoya; I want to be the first Hongkonger to stop the clock under 10 seconds (in 100m), and I believe I can do it,” Kwok told the South China Morning Post.
“I cried a lot at my last U20 world championship in Peru two years ago after failing to even reach the semi-finals,” said Kwok.
Heading into the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships at the Kai Tak Youth Stadium, the young athlete held the Hong Kong Under-20 record of 10.37 seconds, which he won in the first semi-final with 10.36 seconds in late May.
“This August is my last U20 World Championship, this is my last chance, and I want to do something. I know it’s difficult because a lot of athletes run under 10 seconds. This is a very important event for me, and a confirmation for me, it means I’m on the right path and that I’m right with my confidence if I can play at the world level.”
