Nottwil 2017: 'Sports are my life'

“I am a sports addict. Even when I am not training, I do some kind of exercise. Sports are my life.”

When she took up athletics in 2010, Long Kei Fu could not have imagined that seven years later she would be competing at the first World Para Athletics Championships in Nottwil, Switzerland.

But the 19-year-old from Hong Kong soon realised that her passion for sports would eventually lead her to great things.

“I love sports, not just athletics, but every sport especially those played with a ball like basketball,” she said. “But the truth is that at the beginning I was not so keen on training. My passion was ignited as I kept improving. That is when I found out that I really loved it.

“What I enjoy the most is crossing the finish line, even when I don't end first. It feels like mission accomplished and feel proud with myself.”

Now, there is not a day that Fu does not devote to sports. “I am a sports addict. Even when I am not training, I do some kind of exercise,” she admitted. “Even more, I graduated from secondary school and will now start studying 'Sports and Recreation' at University. Yes, everything is sports-related. Sports are my life.”

Last May, Fu competed at the Grand Prix in Beijing, China, coming in third in both the women´s 200m and 400m T47. She followed that up with a second place in the 200m T47 at the Berlin Grand Prix, in June.

Looking ahead to Nottwil 2017, Fu already imagines what it will be like to compete on Swiss soil. “I have been training on this track, sharing the venue with other athletes and the atmosphere is so good. I feel excited,” she said.

“I will be happy if I achieve a personal best. I just want to outdo myself and compare it to my past performances.

“I am bit nervous, you do not always compete at a Junior Worlds, so I would not say I feel confident and do not know if I will win a medal.”

Once Nottwil 2017, Fu would like to continue improving to one day fulfil her biggest dream. “I want to compete at a Paralympic Games. I watched previous edition and will try to do my best to qualify.” Maybe for Tokyo 2020?

Live stream will be provided on the International Paralympic Committee's website, World Para Athletics' website and Facebook page, and Nottwil 2017´s website.

More information, including a full list of competitors, can be found on Nottwil 2017’s website.