Asia Triathlon Cup races might inhabit the lowest rung of the competitive ladder, but Andrew Wright has told his Hong Kong squad that Saturday’s event in Malaysia is “as serious as they come”.
Oscar Coggins and Bailee Brown will lead the city’s charge in Putrajaya, as the pair begin working towards an Asian Games in September that could shape their 2028 Olympic hopes.
Wright’s athletes will have a sterner test at next month’s World Cup leg on Hainan Island, but the head coach said: “Any race where you’re using taxpayers’ money to fund the team to go, you have to put in 100 per cent effort and take it seriously.
“We’re at the end of a training block and have done no race-specific training, but I need to see people stepping up, being professional, delivering maximum effort and showing they can compete.”
Last year’s laser-eyed focus on the National Games came at the cost of world ranking points.
Robin Elg could miss a squad camp in Yunnan as he manages a bone stress reaction. Photo: Eugene Lee
Coggins, for example, is currently dwelling in a No 141 position that does not reflect the ability of an athlete who has made significant strides since finishing 33rd in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.