The Speed Sprinter Who Believes in Slow Perseverance

“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today”. This is one of Magnus Prostur Johannsson’s favourite motivational quotes and it gives us a clue of how far back his love for athletics first took seed. Magnus is a Year 1 student at the HKU Business School studying Business Administration, as well as a track and field athlete specialising in sprint events, admitted through the Top Athlete Direct Admission Scheme in 2024.

“I’ve always been competitive, even from a young age,” Magnus recalls. Even when he was competing in his school sports day as a child, all he wanted to do was win. He soon realised that he needed to pursue sprinting as an athlete so that he could keep feeling the thrill of racing. However, as he grew older and more experienced, he became more aware of the subtleties of track and field: “It’s such a simple sport, but it’s also a sport about technicality and precision.”

He also learnt to admire the qualities of persistence and resolve, as exemplified by the Chinese sprinter Su Bingtian who, after great hardship, was able to advance to the 100m finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. “Even through much perseverance, and a lot of trial and error, he was only able to improve and progress every few years, but still remained focused and dedicated,” Magnus explains. “I aspire to have that level of commitment and tenacity towards my sport. I am reminded that I can always be better when I have some doubt in my abilities.”

This was particularly evident during the COVID pandemic, with the frequent lockdowns and widespread cancellations of competitions around the world. “I would train for a few months, only to be stuck at home and lose my fitness again. It was difficult to stay motivated in a period where there was no goal in sight, but I didn’t want to stop, as it would mean that all my previous efforts were for nothing. So I pushed through, training wherever I could, in the park, at home, and did what I could to progress,” he recalls.

That discipline and perseverance continues for Magnus even now, in his university life. “My day starts off with me completing schoolwork before heading to my classes. My trainings are scheduled usually during the afternoon through to the evening, and after that I might get some sport massages and physiotherapy,” he says. “Student athletes will definitely have to make some sacrifices in their lives. When there are only so many hours in a day, I need to take responsibility and keep a healthy balance by setting a clear schedule for my work and for my personal time.”

He appreciates HKU’s commitment to academic excellence and the worldwide recognition the University commands: “HKU appeals to me because of the connections I can make with people who are professionals in their fields. It’s a globalised place with people from different backgrounds and talents, and meeting these people will be very useful for my future. I chose to study BBA because my family has a background in business, so business has captivated my interest and I wish to pursue a career in it.”

With reference to sports, he adds, “There are many knowledgeable and talented experts here I can consult for advice, and the University provides the right equipment and facilities at the Centre for Sports and Exercise and the Stanley Ho Sports Complex. I also look forward to meeting more people, attending events and activities to experience university life, and of course to represent HKU at athletics meets, such as those of the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, where I hope to really feel the full HKU spirit!”

“Success to me is personal growth,” he notes. “I just want to be better and reach my true potential. It’s not about anyone else; it’s about competing against yourself. To improve, I try to work harder than the previous year. I try to be more dedicated than before. That’s how I attempt to make breakthroughs every time, and I want to continue doing so in my coming years.”

Talking about his place in the sports community and his contribution to athletics or track and field, “I want to be the best I can at my sport and set a new standard for track and field in Hong Kong,” he said. “By doing this, I can motivate myself, my competitors and other sportspeople in Hong Kong to be the best version of themselves possible, and to reach new heights that I would never have thought possible.”

His advice to other students is to trust the process and have trust in themselves. “As an athlete, I often find myself questioning if I’m training hard enough or doing the right things for my sport. But through the years I’ve learned that sticking with a plan will pretty well bring you the results you want eventually. And even if it doesn’t, you still gain valuable experience by trying, so don’t doubt what you’re doing.”

Which brings us back to the quote about planting a tree again? “Exactly!” he laughs. “It’s never too late to change, to try something different, or to get better. I use this to motivate myself, not to be regretful of what could have been, but to be hopeful of what can be.”