How are the preparations going?
It is all going very well. We’re just tying up all the last minute details. We had to come up with a concept for a national costume that would be representative and appropriate. We have also been getting suits tailor-made and finding clothes to wear.

Can you describe the design for the national costume?
Because I am not Chinese I didn’t want to wear a traditional Chinese costume because I didn’t think that it would be in line with what I am representing. So we decided to do a very couture and high fashion runway look. It is essentially a gold dragon that kind of wraps itself down and around me so that I am the Western part of the costume and it is the Eastern.

How did you get involved initially?
I used to work with one of the producers and I ran into him one night. He was trying to find people to participate as it was the first year of the event in Hong Kong. It kind of started out as a favour to him.

Do you feel you are a good representative of the city?
I feel I can represent the city in a different way to the way people might expect me to. I know people would generally expect someone who is representing Hong Kong to be Asian but I also think that one of the most interesting things about Hong Kong is that it is an international city and presents itself as such.

What categories will you have to participate in?
The week leading up to the finale will be filled with interviews with the judging panel and athletic strength activities to examine physical fitness. Then the actual finale will have the national costume, swimsuit, formal wear and casual wear categories, then an interview.

Did you ever imagine yourself doing something like this?
No, never. It was not on my list of things to do. But I am always up for something that is worthwhile and a good cause.

How was the Hong Kong event for you?
It was really calm and professional, everybody got along very well and everyone was in it to get across a good message. It really wasn’t like a competition at all.

How do you feel about meeting all your hot competitors in Oslo?
Gay or straight, we all live in a world where we run into people we’re attracted to on a daily basis... at work, at a bar, the gym even in the grocery store. Being around other gay men at the competition isn’t really an issue for me, as I’ve been in a serious relationship for over three years. Of course, my answer may have been a lot different if you’d asked me when I was 23 and single…

Is there a cause that you are looking to particularly highlight?
Well what I am looking to highlight the most is to promote openness in the gay community. I want to show people that we are not different than anyone else and that we are normal people that get up in the morning and go to work and come home and have pets and loved ones.

Are you apprehensive at all?
No I am really excited. I have always been a person that loves adventures and new experiences and this is just another adventure for me.

The Mr Gay World Pageant takes place in Oslo, February 10-14.