Hong Kong’s finest athletes crowned at Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards
Mak Tze-wing and windsurfer Mak Cheuk-wing are among athletes recognised for their achievements over the past year
A total of 43 junior athletes received cash prizes, sports vouchers and certificates at the award ceremony Hong Kong’s up-and-coming table tennis star Mak Tze-wing has crowned an incredible 12 months by winning a third Sports for Hope Foundation Outstanding Junior Athlete Award.
A total of 43 junior athletes received the awards (for the 2016 fourth quarter) in recognition of their achievements over the past year. The ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Sha Tin last week.
Tze-wing made Hong Kong history when she won a medal in the girls’ singles event at the 2016 World Junior Table Tennis Championships. Tze-wing, who eliminated Sun Yizhen of China in the quarter-finals, said: “Sun was a very strong opponent whom I had never beaten before. So all I wanted was to give my best and enjoy the game, and that was when the miracle happened. I have learned a good lesson from the senior squad members – no matter what the difficulties or obstacles are, you should never doubt your abilities.”
Tze-wing won one silver and two bronze medals in junior singles, doubles and team events. Her teammate, Ng Pak-nam, who also won an outstanding athlete award, claimed a bronze medal in the boys’ singles. Their combined effort contributed to the Hong Kong Table Tennis Association being named the Most Supportive National Sports Association of 2016.
Windsurfer Mak Cheuk-wing also celebrated a triumphant year. Cheuk-wing beat favourites from France and Israel to take first place in the Techno 293 junior girls’ U-15 class on the waters of Lake Garda in Italy. It was Hong Kong’s first world title in the Techno class.
Dance partners Jerry Lee and Sin Kam-ho, who won the award for the first time, achieved strong results in the ADSF Junior II Championships and the 26th National DanceSport Championships last year. They said that they would spend their prize money on course fees and costumes, and hoped that their win would raise the profile of dance sport in Hong Kong.
The other winners were: Ko Shing-hei (badminton), Lo Ho-sum and Robbie James Joaquin Capito (billiards), Chan Yin-yau (equestrian), Hsieh Sin-yan (fencing), Chau Ka-him and Chow Hei-wood (karatedo), Lo Ng-shuen (roller sport), Chan Chi-fung (rowing), Hong Kong U19s men’s national team (rugby), Lam Ching and Sou Ming-chun (tennis), and Leung Yat-sing and Michelle Yeung (wushu).
Each individual winner received a cash prize of HK$2,500, a sports voucher worth HK$2,500 and a certificate. Meanwhile, group recipients received a maximum cash prize of HK$10,000, a sports voucher worth HK$10,000, and a certificate.
Edited by Andrew McNicol