Tong Yui-shing, 55, switches to Nacra 17 class in search of more honours
Asian Games bronze medallist wants to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
They say one can't teach an old dog new tricks, but that doesn't seem to apply to "old sea dog" Tong Yui-shing.
As competitive as ever at the age of 55, Tong, a Hobie 16 bronze medallist for Hong Kong at last year's Asian Games, has made the decision to switch boat classes to enhance his prospects of more international honours.
The achievement of Tong and boat partner Tong Kit-fong at the Asian Games in Incheon helped secure sailing's elite status at the Sports Institute, but the Hobie 16 class has been dropped from the next Games in Indonesia in 2018, prompting a switch to the Nacra 17 class, which is to be contested at next year's Olympics. These yachts are also catamarans, but have different specifications.
Some people say I am too old for the sport, but I will prove them wrong. I have vast experience, which is very important and physically I am as strong as I was 30 years ago. I have raced in other multi-hull classes and I don't see any problem continuing my career in another class
"Some people say I am too old for the sport, but I will prove them wrong," said Tong, who will become the oldest scholarship athlete under the elite programme when sailing moves to the Fo Tan training complex on April 1 for a four-year cycle.
"I have vast experience, which is very important and physically I am as strong as I was 30 years ago. I have raced in other multi-hull classes and I don't see any problem continuing my career in another class."
The Sports Institute only supports athletes competing in the Asian Games or the Olympic Games and the two Tongs will be attempting to gain an 2016 Olympic berth through the World Cup in Qingdao in September.
"Time is running short as there are only six months left until the last Olympic qualifiers in Nacra 17. We know it is going to be difficult but will give our best," said Tong.
There are 10 classes in sailing for the Rio Games, including Nacra 17, the only mixed event (one man and one woman).
Twenty boats will compete in Rio with half qualifying through the 2014 world championships. Three more will qualify through the 2015 Nacra 17 class world championships in Aarhus, Denmark, in July and the remaining will have to make it through individual continental qualifying events. The Asia event will be in Qingdao with one boat to qualify.
