Hong Kong gymnast Shek ready to teach next generation the ‘tough life’ of an athlete
Three-time Olympian and Asian Games gold medallist Shek Stone has retired and is now the coach of the city’s women’s team
The best gymnast Hong Kong has ever produced vowed on Monday to pass on his experience to the next generation, but said the city might never produce another athlete capable of filling his shoes.
Stone Shek Wai-hung, who announced his retirement on social media last Friday, added that those hoping to follow in his footsteps would find the path “not easy and difficult”.
A two-time Asian Games gold medallist, who represented Hong Kong at three Olympics – London, Tokyo and Paris – Shek said it was not just about performance because the life of an athlete “was tough”.
“We could have some athletes winning some medals at some tournaments, get some results or reach a final, but results-wise, maybe it won’t be at the same standard as I was.
“There are also many external factors that make or break the development of an athlete, who is the core of everything. It depends on his or her self-awareness, whether they want to commit to it or not, or how hard they are trying.
“I am not ruling out if there will be ‘another Shek’ but being an athlete, not just a gymnast, was very difficult, it was tough.”
