HK's Only Paralympian Set to Ride

Source: China Daily/ HK Edition

 
Chief Executive Donald Tsang (3rd left) presents a Hong Kong SAR flag to representatives of the Hong Kong team participating in the Paralympic Games. The ceremony was held yesterday at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and the Games will take place Sept 6-17. Edmond Tang

Following the successful debut of the first Hong Kong team in the Olympic equestrian competition, the city will field its only rider, Nelson Yip Siu-hong, in the Paralympic dressage events next month.

Yip, who will ride atop Icy Bet, expressed confidence about the competition when he met with the media yesterday.

Nelson Yip

"I feel excited and proud to compete on my home turf, as I have many supporters and friends, as well as my team, here," he said. "I will do my best in the competition."

Yip will take part in the grade II individual championship test and the grade II freestyle test, which will be held in the Sha Tin equestrian venue on Sept 8 and 10, respectively.

Unlike the Olympic equestrian events, which also include cross country and jumping, the Paralympic Games consist of just dressage.

Athletes are classified into five grades: Ia, Ib, II, III and IV. Grade Ia athletes have the most serious impairments, while grade IV athletes are the least impaired.

Yip, who suffered from cerebral palsy when he was 8 months old and cannot control his legs, is entered as a grade II athlete.

He will perform a walk and trot, competing against 17 other international riders who technical consultant Apollo Ng described as the strongest competitors among the 73 athletes in all five grades.

Due to limitations in his lower limbs, Yip cannot instruct the horse with his legs, so he uses a whip and his voice. He also must fasten his feet to the stirrups using rubber bands.

"My physical limitation is my biggest enemy; to overcome this hurdle is the most difficult part of the competition," he said.

In the past three months, Yip went to the United Kingdom for training and participated in different dressage competitions.

"I learned how to better coordinate with the horse, as well as different riding techniques," he said. "While, from the competitions, I saw my limitations and endeavored to improve," he said.

Yip now spends one-and-a-half hours everyday riding on horses, and another hour swimming or doing fitness exercises.

Yip has been working with Icy Bet for about two years.

It is already 20 years old and has plenty of experience, so it's not expected to be distracted by noises during the competition, which is very important, team leader Michael Lee said.

Yip noted that sometimes, because it is difficult to control his legs, he accidentally kicks the horse when he sits.

"Normally, that will make horses feel uncomfortable, but Icy Bet is very benevolent and generous" to me, Yip said, adding that Icy Bet has been moved to Sha Tin for quarantine. The Hong Kong team will move into the Paralympic Village tomorrow.

Yip also noted that he was invited to be a radio commentator for the individual freestyle test on Sept 11.

(By Peggy Chan )

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Editor: Chen Minjie