Her parents were avid swimmers and often took her and her sister to the pool on weekends. Despite initially disliking swimming, she grew to love it as she spent more time in the water. She now trains at the Hong Kong Sports Institute under coach Rick Bishop.

Her training regime is rigorous, involving around 30 hours each week. This includes ten pool sessions, three gym sessions, and yoga. Her dedication to training has paid off, as evidenced by her numerous accolades.

Achievements and Awards

She has received several awards throughout her career. In January 2023, she was named Swimmer of the Year by the Hong Kong Swimming Coaches Association. In 2022, she won the Best of the Best Sports Stars award in Hong Kong.

She was also named the 2021 Asian Female Swimmer of the Year by SwimSwam and Best Female Swimmer at the 2021 World Short Course Championships in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, she was featured in a limited edition range of stamps issued by Hongkong Post in 2021.

Milestones

She has achieved several milestones in her career. She became the first swimmer representing Hong Kong to win a medal at the Olympic Games, claiming silver in both the 200m and 100m freestyle at the 2020 Tokyo Games. This made her the first athlete from Hong Kong to win more than one medal at a single Olympic Games.

In 2021, she became the first swimmer from Hong Kong to win a medal at the world short course championships, claiming gold in the 200m freestyle in Abu Dhabi. She also became the first swimmer from Hong Kong to reach the final of an individual event at the world championships, placing fifth in the 200m freestyle at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest.

Challenges and Injuries

Her journey has not been without challenges. An injury to her right ankle prevented her from competing at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest. She also withdrew from the semifinals of the 50m freestyle at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to a lower back injury.

In December 2017, she began experiencing foot problems that affected her preparations for the 2018 NCAA Championships. Despite consulting eight specialists, it was an acupuncturist who diagnosed inflamed cartilage around her ankle. This injury forced her to pull out of the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.

Personal Life and Philosophy

She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan. Fluent in Cantonese, English, French, and Mandarin, she resides in Hong Kong. Her sporting philosophy is inspired by a quote from 'Mulan': "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, she aims to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Despite not having long-term plans set in stone, she is focused on taking things one year at a time. She continues to enjoy swimming and is committed to her sport.

Her story is one of perseverance and dedication. From learning to swim as a child to becoming an Olympic medallist, she has shown what can be achieved through hard work and determination.