- Yip Tsz-hin said parents’ sacrifices helped him succeed and he hopes to one day compete at the Olympics
- Awards returned after three-year hiatus during Covid and include scholarships of up to HK$10,000 for winners
(From left) Chen Zhi-wei; Yip Tsz-hin, Sportsboy of the Year; Ronnie Cheng Kay-yen, headmaster of Diocesan Boys’ School, and Acting Commissioner for Sports Wan Hiu-yan. Photo: Angelina LeeDiocesan Boys’ School student Yip Tsz-hin has been named one of the two Sportsboys of the Year at the Grantham Outstanding Student-Athletes Awards.
Cross country runner Yip won the award, and a scholarship worth HK$10,000, after an incredible year of athletic achievement, including winning first place in boys’ individual for the interschool cross country competition.
Reflecting on his success, Yip remembered the time he almost fainted after the All Hong Kong Schools Jing Ying Cross Country Tournament - one of the most gruelling moments in his athletic career this year - saying he was glad he pulled through. He also credited his parents’ unwavering support for his success.
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“My parents sacrificed their time to drive me to training every day, and it is their sacrifices and my passion for athletics that motivates me to do my best and make them proud,” he said, adding that he hopes to continue setting personal records and participate in more overseas competitions, with his ultimate dream being to compete in the Olympics.
The Grantham Awards, which returned this year after a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19, recognise outstanding student-athletes and aim to motivate students to become role models and inspire their schoolmates to pursue sports.
Eighty-nine student-athletes from 39 schools were recognised at the ceremony, with Diocesan Boys’ School and Heep Yunn School taking the lead with 14 and 13 winners, respectively.
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Sportsgirl of the Year recipient To Wing-yan said the secret to being a well-rounded athlete is balance and hard work.
Since age three, the swimmer, a Diocesan Girls’ School student, has trained for four hours per day and maintains her grades by stealing time between recess and lunch to complete her schoolwork.
Despite the challenges, To still has big goals.
“My main aim is to compete in the Olympics,” the 17-year-old said, adding that for now, she hopes to represent Hong Kong in more competitions and study physical education at university next year.
Wan Hiu-yan, Acting Commissioner for Sports at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, was a guest of honour at the awards. She said she was happy to see how much local athletes have achieved recently and felt positive about the future generation.
“Recognising student athletes’ hard work will encourage students to continue pursuing athletics and make the country proud,” she said of the awards.
A total of 205 applicants from 71 schools competed for the Sportsboy and Sportsgirl of the Year and Ten Sports Excellence Awards and the Outstanding Athletes prize. Winners received scholarships ranging from HK$1,000 to HK$10,000.