GUANGZHOU - In a quiet corner of Hong Kong, China's Tsuen Wan International Trade Center, a rainbow jersey hangs encased in glass, a vibrant reminder of what a local cyclist can achieve. This small museum-like space is the bicycle shop of Wong Kam-po, the man known as "Asian Cycling King."

Now 52, Wong possesses a gentle demeanor that belies the fierce competitor who dominated the tracks for decades. Reflecting on a journey spanning five National Games and yielding three gold and two bronze medals, he describes a philosophy built not on love for speed, but on embracing the struggle.

"Many people think I liked the sense of speed, or the beautiful bike models," he told Xinhua. "But actually, I was attracted by the nature that you never know who will win until the very finish line."

His career began with a humbling lesson during a local race where the confident young cyclist even said "goodbye" to other riders as he passed them. The subsequent loss proved transformative.

"It was a real shock to me," Wong recalled. "I realized then that becoming a good athlete requires not just physical preparation and good conditions, but most importantly, a good attitude. You have to be humble."

That early lesson paved the way for his first major breakthrough at the Asian Junior Championships at 17, and eventually to his first National Games victory in 1997, just as Hong Kong returned to China.

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"It was the first gold for the Hong Kong team at the National Games," he said. "To compete with our brothers and sisters from across the nation right after the handover was historically significant."

The victory came through meticulous preparation, as Wong and his coach Shen Jinkang scouted the Shanghai course early, specifically training for its challenging finish on an overpass.

"We knew the climb was about 150 to 200 meters," Wong explained. "We found a similar route and trained on it repeatedly." On the rainy race day, he ultimately seized his opportunity in a final sprint against Beijing's star cyclist Tang Xuezhong.

Despite achieving his dream of becoming Asian champion in 1998, Wong nearly retired due to Hong Kong's lack of a full-time athlete system. His perspective changed when his mentor shared the myth of Sisyphus, reframing it as a lesson about finding variety in repetition.

"The message was that we repeat things every day as athletes, but if you add new ideas, everything becomes more positive," Wong said. This renewed mindset led him to eventually win three National Games golds.

His resilience culminated in the 2007 World Championships in Mallorca, where he won the 15km scratch race and earned the coveted rainbow jersey. That victory, he believes, was a catalyst for Hong Kong cycling.

"After I won, other athletes thought, 'Ah, Kam-po is just like us.' We eat in the same canteens, we live the same life. I think they started to have ideas too."

Retired at 40, Wong continues to share his passion through his shop and community work. "I don't dare say I'm pushing the sport with great results," he said. "I just hope to share my thinking and create a platform for exchange."

His advice to young visitors admiring his rainbow jersey remains practical and powerful: "These medals prove that no matter what you do, if you're willing to put in the time and energy, and focus on it, you have a chance to succeed."

As the 15th National Games approaches in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Wong looks forward to attending as a fan with his son.

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"I'm a bit biased. I hope the Hong Kong team does well. Of course, I also hope all athletes from across the nation can perform beyond their level."

"I think everyone can slowly get to know each other, understand each other's strengths and weaknesses in events," Wong said, seeing the joint hosting as a pivotal moment for regional sports integration. "And then we can integrate, each playing to our advantages, to merge and develop."