Max Siu I grew up in Hong Kong and came to the US when I turned twenty. I enjoyed track and field when I was in high school, but I stopped pursuing the sport when I arrived at UT-Arlington in 1973. I was a 5-foot-7, skinny little guy, and I didn't think I could measure up. I shut the whole thing down and never thought about it until I turned 55.

My younger brother, Haoming Siu, a marathoner who lives in Kentucky, told me about the National Senior Games when the event was held in Louisville, Ky in 2007. I began competing and have enjoyed success in local and state track and field competitions since. I never thought I would be a national champion. By my 70s, I have won a dozen national titles from indoor and outdoor national meets.

I was relatively fast in the 100-meter dash, but others were faster (i.e. Damien). I found a niche when I focused on jumping and hurdling. I have collected most of my national champion patches in the triple jump. At the world master competitions, I was able to get on the podium a few times in short hurdle and jumping events. Those were very cool experiences.

I continue to maintain dual citizenship and have been part of the Hong Kong Masters Athletic Team, competing in Europe and southeast Asia in recent years.

In 2019, I fell during an indoor 60m event and injured my right knee, making competing and practices difficult for a few years. After knee scope surgery and many physical therapies with no help, I agreed with my orthopedic surgeon and had a partial replacement surgery done in June 2023. Although recovery was painful and slow, I was able to get back into competitions in 2024.

I continue to enjoy competing because I still feel I have a chance to set new PRs. Mostly, I enjoy the camaraderie with the other master athletes and constantly looking forward to the next meet to catch up with others. Before, I was just trying to compete. Now, I'm raising the bar and I feel like I have a lot of room to grow.

I am a team guy and enjoy team sports. When Damien suggested I join the South California Striders, I immediately signed up. I wish I lived closer to the west coast so I can work with other Striders more, but I am proud to be a Strider and will always look for a way to gain points for the team.

I am very fortunate to be married to my wife Thanh-Nha for almost forty years, with whom we have raised two children together. She is always supporting me. She has been my partner, planner and travel agent for my business and personal travels, so that has been my secret edge against the other master athletes. She always accompanies me and takes videos of me at all of my meets, but we also enjoy traveling together, visiting places in the US and internationally.