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Paul McNamara

Oscar Coggins had twin-reasons for celebration following his latest medal-winning performance on Saturday, the Hongkonger’s Asia Triathlon Super Sprint Elite championship bronze earning him a crack at Asian Games redemption later this year.
It is barely three years since Coggins, 33rd in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, withdrew during the Games race in Hangzhou because he was “in really bad mental shape”.
One of the city’s most formidable athletes, Coggins returned from a six-month break to steadily re-establish himself as Hong Kong’s leading performer; a status he underlined in Xuzhou over the weekend.
The 26-year-old was alone among his team in claiming the podium spot needed to automatically qualify for the Games in Japan.
“Oscar was outstanding, especially over a distance that isn’t his forte and one we haven’t done much work on,” Andrew Wright, the Hong Kong head coach, said.
“Being on the podium is another step in the right direction and great for confidence, as well as ranking points.”

An individual bronze medallist from last year’s National Games, Coggins has three months to prepare for his assault on September’s Asiad.
“The training approach won’t change, we’re always looking to peak for major Games,” Wright said.
“I’m happy someone hit the auto-qualification criteria. I believe that if you set the bar high, there are athletes who strive to reach it.”
After no other Hong Kong athlete booked Games tickets from two previous selection races, the remaining two men and all three women who go to Japan will be discretionary picks. Wright is hoping to have finalised his squad within the next week.
Competing over the rarely-spied super sprint distance, comprising a 400-metre swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run at the weekend, Coggins completed the men’s final in 24 minutes and 22 seconds. Winner Li Mingxu of China clocked 24:15, with Japan’s silver medallist, Kazushi Jozuka finishing in 24:20.
In an earlier semi-final, Coggins posted 24:59 to ease home third.
“Two races in a day was something new for us,” Wright said. “It suits the athletes who are fit, because you’re racing the final under fatigue.”
Wong Tsz-to was the next city athlete home in 13th. Jason Ng Tai-long, the 2024 Paris Olympian, had to settle for 28th in his second event following a six-month injury lay-off.
“The other boys [besides Coggins] gave everything … but nobody has trained well or consistently enough to be competitive in this field,” Wright said. “They have improved but so has everyone else, especially the Chinese athletes.”
In a one-off women’s race, Hilda Choi Yan-yin (27:14) placed 10th, one spot in front of Cade Wright (27:18) in 11th. Tallulah Wright (27:31) was 16th.
The China pair of Huang Anqi (26:37) and Lin Xinyu (26:47) were first and second, respectively, in a repeat of last year’s National Games outcome. Manami Hayashi of Japan crossed third in 26:51.
“The girls need to put together solid, consistent blocks of work before the Asian Games to even be part of the race,” Wright, no relation to the athlete sisters, said.
Out since the National Games seven months ago because of a shin problem, Robin Elg lost his race against time to be fit for the mainland China event.
“Robin has started weight-bearing exercise on his leg, which is a positive sign, and he should be back to running this week,” Wright said.
Injury also prevented Bailee Brown, twice an Asian Games mixed-relay bronze medallist, from travelling to Xuzhou. She will avoid racing for one month before a follow-up scan.
“We weren’t willing to risk her health or long-term results,” Wright said.


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Hong Kong’s Oscar Coggins, here at the National Games last year, claimed bronze at the Asia Triathlon Super Sprint Elite championship in China. Photo: Eugene Lee

Oscar Coggins on the podium with winner Li Mingxu (centre) and Kazushi Jozuka, the silver medallist (left). Photo: Handout

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Hong Kong

Oscar Coggins claims bronze from Asia Triathlon Super Sprint Elite championship, coach set to finalise six-strong squad


Oscar Coggins claims bronze from Asia Triathlon Super Sprint Elite championship, coach set to finalise six-strong squad.


Asian Games: Hong Kong triathlete learns fate after China trial race

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Oscar Coggins claims bronze from Asia Triathlon Super Sprint Elite championship, coach set to finalise six-strong squad

Oscar Coggins claims bronze from Asia Triathlon Super Sprint Elite championship, coach set to finalise six-strong squad