Wong Kam-po


Wong Kam-po SBS MH is a Hong Kong racing cyclist. A specialist in road bicycle racing, at age 34 he became a track cycling world champion in the scratch race of the 2007 [UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Men's scratch|2007 World Championships], which was not his specialty.
Wong Kam-po is a five-time Olympian and much-lauded sports icon. He won Asian Games individual road race three times under competition from Pro tour cyclists of Central Asia countries such as Kazakhstan. He won also track World Cup twice. Latterly, he was a coach with the Hong Kong cycling national set-up.

Biography

Early career and Asian Games gold medalist

Wong Kam-po joined the Hong Kong cycling team in 1990. He quit the team after allegedly fighting with a teammate. After meeting his current coach , he rejoined the team and began a successful career, winning golds in the National Games of China and the Asian Games. In 1997, he won the Tour de Filipinas cycling race.
In 1992, he was banned from international races for one year for deserting the trouble-plagued 1992 pre-Olympic training squad in France, in support of his coach Chow Tat-ming who was in dispute with the Hong Kong Cycling Association over wages. Wong returned to racing in the opening race of the 1993-94 season. He won his third Asian Games Gold Medal in 2010 Asian Games|Guangzhou].

2007 World Champion in scratch race

A specialist in road bicycle racing, at age 34 he became a track cycling world champion in the scratch race of the 2007 UCI [Track Cycling World Championships – Men's scratch|2007 World Championships], which is not his specialty. In the race, he overtook the lead pack with nine laps remaining and crossed the finishing line at 17 minutes 45 seconds. He earned the right to wear the Rainbow Jersey for the year 2007-08.

2008 and 2012 Olympics

Wong performed well at the 2007 UCI B [World Championship Cycling|UCI B World Championships] road race, with a 4th-place finish. He qualified for the Cycling at the [2008 Summer Olympics – Men's points race|track cycling points race] of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finished at the 15th out of 23 cyclists. He is the 2008 Summer Olympics [national flag bearers|flag bearer] for Hong Kong.
At the 2012 London Olympics, Wong Kam-Po was the sole Hong Kong rider to attend Cycling at the [2012 Summer Olympics – Men's individual road race|Men's road race]. He finished 37th, just 40 seconds behind winner Alexander Vinokurov.

As a sports icon

Wong Kam-Po is a consistent performer. During his lengthy career, he is always able to get precious win in international sports events for Hong Kong.
He got "Best of the Best" title of Hong Kong Sports Stars Award in 2006, 2007 and 2010.
In 2007 he became the first HongKonger World Champion cyclist and thereby became the sports icon of Hong Kong.
On 29 June 2007, Hu Jintao, then-General Secretary of the [Chinese Communist Party], visited Hong Kong and met Wong. Hu commented, "you brought glory for Hong Kong and for your country. You are a darling more precious than gold." Hu's remarks became a viral wordplay on Wong Kam-po's name, as Po means darling and Wong Kam means gold.
After Wong Kam-Po won his third Asian Games Gold Medal in Guangzhou, Hong Kong's Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said, "I would like to pay my particular tribute to our cyclist Wong Kam-po who has won three gold, one silver and one bronze, including the gold medal grabbed today, during his various performances at the Asian Games. He epitomises Hong Kong people's determination and perseverance. This is legendary."
Wong was the first Hong Kong rider to gain Category One status in Europe.

After professional cyclist career

Wong Kam-Po became a coach of Hong Kong National cycling team after retirement in 2013.
In 2017, Wong left coach position and joined Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong.
From 2022, Wong is chairman of Athletes Committee of SPORTS FEDERATION & OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG, CHINA.
In the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Wong once again represented Hong Kong as the torch bearer.

Brand Spokesman and TV advertisement

Wong Kam-Po was spokesman of Giant Bicycles, KMC Chain, Polar cycling computer covering Greater China Regions.
He is also Hong Kong region spokesman of Nike, Uniqlo, Panasonic etc.
Po is the protagonist of commercial TV advertisements including:
2007 : Hong Kong School of Motoring - Safety drive.
2011 : Beauty Choice - Skeleton Plus.
2011 : Dah Sing Life Insurance - Hong Kong Spirit.
2015 : Dah Sing Life Insurance - Wong Kam Po vs Shark.
2022 : Panasonic - Golden Rice Cooker.

2023 Asian Games bid

Wong Kam-po is a supporter of Hong Kong's 2023 Asian Games bid. On 29 November 2010, speaking at the Legislative Council Home Affairs Panel special meeting on the proposed hosting of the 2023 Asian Games, Wong Kam-po said political parties' resistance to the proposal broke his heart. He said Hong Kong needs the spirit of sport, urging legislators to view the issue from a long-term and global perspective.

Palmarès

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2009 National Games assault incident

In the week of 16 October, Wong Kam-po was preparing for the 11th National Games in Shandong. In preparing for the event, Wong and his team were 10 minutes early, and the security guards did not let them enter the venue. The team was then assaulted by the security. Cyclist Wong Kam-po was pushed down to the floor by the guards. Hong Kong Sports Institute coach Zhang Pak-ming was surrounded by four security guards and beaten. His leg was injured. A threat was also made to destroy the Hong Kong team's car. The incident was reported to the police, after which they were allowed to enter the venue. President of the Sports Federation and [Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China], Timothy Fok, expressed concern about the case.