In order to prepare for the upcoming triathlon event of the 15th National Games (NG) that Hong Kong will host at the Victoria Harbour, the Force recently organised a trial race. Among the participants was Tsuen Wan District Chief Inspector (Administration) Li Yui-ming who has joined the triathlon sport for nearly ten years. She not only participated in the preparation of the competition but also competed in the World Championships and became the champion in the “World Police and Fire Games”, demonstrating the resilience and strength of the Force’s elite athletes.

Li Yui-ming pointed out that both triathlon training and police work equally value discipline and perseverance. As tracks can be easily affected by weather and sea state, she insists on keeping a training schedule of 14 to 16 hours per week despite her heavy policing duties to maintain herself in peak condition for the physical challenges and unexpected circumstances during the competitions.

She shared a profound experience during a competition in the Philippines when something unexpected happened on the track. The organiser cancelled the swimming event without prior notice and brought the competitors back to shore by speedboat. Though the rhythm was disrupted, Li Yui-ming swiftly adjusted the strategy and mindset, stayed focused on completing the remaining events, and ultimately secured a top-five finish to qualify for the World Championships in Finland. She integrates this adaptive mindset in police work and emphasised, “Police work is also full of uncertainties. Not only is it necessary to equip oneself at the usual time and prepare for the unexpected, one should also, like running on slopes, not be overwhelmed by the challenges ahead, and should just take things one step at a time. Only by persevering to the end can one reach the summit.”

In addition to Li Yui-ming, there is another triathlon athlete in the Force - Yuen Long District Patrol Sub-unit Police Constable Chow Pui-yan. It’s not hard to find her impressive records online. Since joining the Force in 2003, she had made it to the Counter Terrorism Response Unit for her outstanding physical fitness and even undertook a secondary duty as a physical training instructor. She once represented the Force and participated in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Police Games triathlon competition, and became the champion in the Mainland Public Security Authority Taishan Trekking Competition. In 2014, she set a record of 12 hours 52 minutes in the 100‑kilometre Trailwalker race, and even won in several local competitions.

Embracing a passion for sports, Chow Pui-yan once left the Force for some time to become a full-time trail runner with full devotion to test her own limits. However, the pandemic five years ago reignited her original aspiration of serving the community. She recalled, “The COVID-19 pandemic situation was severe at that time, and the society was in urgent need of manpower to support anti-epidemic efforts. I responded to the call and joined the Tsing Yi community isolation facility to help care for the quarantined patients. That sustained period of service gave me a profound appreciation for the fulfillment that came from helping others which was the value that I had always aspired to uphold.”

After the pandemic, she decided to rejoin the Force and graduated after training in August two years ago. She put on the uniform again to continue the mission of serving the community. She shared, “Whether on the field, at the frontline during the pandemic or in the post of the Force, I constantly remind myself – the true strength isn’t about never feeling tired, but about choosing to persevere even when I know my limits!”

Both athletes who have represented Hong Kong in national and international triathlon competitions for a number of occasions extended their best wishes to athletes in the upcoming 15th NG, “May you face challenges fearlessly, give your all, surpass your limits and achieve outstanding results! Demonstrate your peak performance amid the fierce competition of the 15th NG, and continue to win glory for Hong Kong on the fields in the future!”

Force triathlon trial competition

To echo the triathlon event to be held in Hong Kong during the 15th NG in November, the Police Adventure Club, in collaboration with the Triathlon Association of Hong Kong, held a triathlon trial competition event at the Police College on September 27. The competition attracted about 150 Junior Police Call and “Operation Breakthrough” members, Force officers as well as other disciplinary services members.