Tuan Chun Chang of Chinese Taipei is aiming for a winning performance when he competes at the QNB Asia Triathlon Cup Doha 2021 which kicks off at the Lusail Marina on Friday. Excerpts from a Q&A session with the 27-year-old.
Q: What are your first impressions about Qatar?
A: For me, I feel really good being out here. This is my first overseas visit this year. The weather is really great here. I like warm weather. I love it. I hope I can have a good result here. Hot weather for me is better than cold weather. In my country, it is cold right now. So everything feels great here. Everybody in my team is really focused and we want to do well here.
Q: When was your last event before coming to Qatar?
A: Last weekend we had a local race in Taiwan. Before that we had a national camp also. In the last event, I was at the top of the field there. I just think I can do well here too.
Q: These are important months leading up to the Asian Games 2022. What are you looking at from this week’s competition?
A: We have the qualifiers for the 2022 Asian Games in China. So this is our Chinese Taipei team for those qualifiers.
We signed for the event here in Qatar so all of us come here and compete against some of the best athletes and get in shape for the next season.
Q: What are the long-term goals in your career?
A: After this race, I will look at the Asian Games 2022 in China. That’s the main goal. I want to win there. The next few months are important for me. I also want to be there at the 2024 Olympic Games (in Paris) but first I need to check my calendar and hopefully I arrive at the Asian Games fully prepared.
Q: How does it feel to be at an international event during Covid-19 times? It is not easy to travel and still do well in competitions.
A: Yes, the travelling part is difficult for every athlete. You have to develop a plan and do the races. We arrived here on
Sunday and everything has been good since then.
Q: Have you been around the city since your arrival?
A: We have just been training at the venue because we are very focused on what we want to do here. The venue is nice. Everybody likes the water temperature.
Q: How many hours do you train on a daily basis?
A: On an average we train four hours a day. That’s what I do. For one week, it is about 28-30 hours. Some athletes do it for more than 30 hours. Some think 28 hours a week are enough.
Tuan Chun Chang of Chinese Taipei is aiming for a winning performance when he competes at the QNB Asia Triathlon Cup Doha 2021 which kicks off at the Lusail Marina on Friday.
