HKU Student-Athletes Excel at Asian Games 2026

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) hosted a heartfelt homecoming event on campus to honour the remarkable achievements of its student-athletes who participated in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Held on October 28, 2026, the event celebrated the exceptional talent of 30 student-athletes across 12 sports, bringing pride and inspiration to the HKU community.

Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU; Professor Bennett Yim, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange; and Dr Michael Tse, Director of Centre for Sports and Exercise; and other distinguished guests from the Hong Kong Sports Institute and various sports associations were present to show their support and encouragement. Students from local secondary schools also participated in a sharing session with the HKU student-athletes.

Recognising the HKU student-athletes' achievements, Professor Xiang Zhang acknowledged, "We are immensely proud of our student-athletes, who serve as exceptional role models for our students by demonstrating how to balance the academic with elite sports training. In this era of the AI tsunami, the irreplaceable value of a university lies in human-to-human interaction. Sports, sportsmanship, and shared campus experiences are vital human connections that will always remain the pillars of university education. HKU will continue to invest in our sports infrastructure to foster these enduring values, friendship, and resilience."

Thirty student-athletes achieved outstanding results at the Asian Games 2026. Among the outstanding results, Coleman Wong Chak Lam won Hong Kong's historic first tennis gold, and Chow Chi Kiu and Karlsson Jane Christa Ming Suet broke the Hong Kong women's 4x400-meter relay record. Fencers Ryan Choi Chun Yin (two silvers), Fong Hoi-sun (two bronzes), and Ho Sze Long (bronze) achieved notable success. In sailing, Tiffany Mak Hiu Tung and Emily Grace Polson secured silver, while Russell Williams Aylsworth won bronze. Triathletes Bailee Brown and Robin Elg also claimed bronze. At the Asian Para Games, Wong Yue Ching and Winnie Pang Wing Ka won silver and bronze medals in their respective table tennis events.

These student-athletes, drawn from various faculties, were supported through admissions pathways such as the Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS) and the HKU Sports Scholarship Scheme (SSS).

Professor Bennett Yim, also Chairman of the HKU TADAS Selection and Review Committee, expressed pride in the student-athletes admitted through HKU's special schemes for sports scholars. He stated, "HKU strives to create an environment where students can pursue their passions-whether in sports, arts, sciences, or humanities-and emerge as well-rounded individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to society. We are dedicated to supporting student-athletes in pursuing dual excellence through flexible academic arrangements, mentorship programmes, and comprehensive support."

During the event, fencer Ryan Choi Chun Yin and para table tennis player Wong Yue Ching shared their feelings about participating in the Asian Games and how they overcame challenges by embracing failure and maintaining passion, while tennis player Coleman Wong Chak Lam also shared his experiences on balancing his studies and sports in a video recording. They expressed gratitude for HKU's support in their dual track development of academics and sports.

The Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS), launched at the start of the 2022/23 academic year, aims to facilitate the enrolment of exceptional athletes through competitive admissions primarily based on sporting achievements. HKU supports the student-athletes admitted via the Scheme with personalised academic advice, flexible learning arrangements, counselling services, and physical training to promote holistic development of the athletes, helping them pursue academic aspirations, explore international exchange opportunities, and continue to excel in their sports careers.

Achievements of the HKU Student-athletes in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026: