Hong Kong’s tenpin bowler Wu Siu-hong beat the world’s best to be crowned the first ever local winner at the 51^st QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup held on 13-20 November in Las Vegas, USA.

Wu, 31, beat South Africa’s Francois Louw 2-0 in the best-of-three final to win the most coveted title in amateur bowling, which has been running since 1965.

“I feel fantastic,” he said immediately after the win. “This is the fourth time I have played in the World Cup and my best position was ninth, so I finally feel I can do it.

“It fills me with confidence and it shows Hong Kong people can do it. Now I just want to come back next year and win again!”

Competitors represent their nation in the tournament, with bowlers from 88 countries taking part.

Wu was hailed as a prodigy when he helped Hong Kong to 2 golds at the East Asian Games in 2001 at just 16, but was ready to quit when he found out he was suffering from testicular cancer in the build-up to the Asian Games last year.

Despite undergoing surgery and finishing his chemotherapy in May, he still won silver at the Asian Games less than six months later.

“At first I could only bowl a score of 150, but I pressed on. I didn’t disclose my condition to my team and coach until after the Asian Games,” he said.“I didn’t tell them because I didn't want them to worry about me and affect the morale of the team.”

After fighting to a full recovery, victory in Vegas was all the sweeter for Wu. “I’ve waited 17 long years for this one. I have a good coach [Bill Hoffman]. I made some good shots. I was a bit lucky in the first game when I had a lucky strike. I just worked hard on every shot and finally I won it,” added Wu, who was the second seed at the event. This time, I did my best and I really had a good week.”

Wu hopes the confidence-inspiring win can lift him – and Hong Kong – to new heights in coming major championships.

“I will continue to fight hard to win titles for Hong Kong, but I am going to approach these competitions a bit differently,” he said.

“You always want to perform at your highest level whenever you compete. Now that I have become more mature, I think I had been trying too hard to win. Sometimes you need to relax a bit if you want to perform your best.”

Wu said he hoped his tale could inspire others in Hong Kong. “Compared to what other people have gone through, my illness is minor,” he said.

“Life is so unpredictable. I really want to share my experience with kids and other people; they need to know that they should treasure life. I am one of the lucky ones.”

Wu will be able to defend his title closer to home next year, as the 52^nd World Cup will be held in Shanghai.

Up-and-coming Hong Kong badminton player Ng Ka-long made a massive impact at his home tournament this month, finishing with a bronze at the YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships held on 17 - 22 November in Hong Kong.

The 21-year-old had a sensational win over Chinese star Lin Dan on his way to the semi-finals, stunning the two-time Olympic gold medalist and third seed in two straight games.

Ng, seeded 22, made history when he became the first Hong Kong player to reach the final four of the tournament, beating Chou Tienchen of Taiwan in his next match.

He came up against the great Malaysian Lee Chong-wei in the semis. Ng lost the game but Lee admitted Ng had pushed him all the way.

“I think Ng Ka-long played very well,” said Lee, who went on to win the title. “He is a future star. Hong Kong must take care of him very well. There will be plenty to come in his career.”

Ng admitted he had been nervous and didn’t sleep well ahead of the showdown with Lee, but was pleased to have gained the attention of local badminton fans.

“I would like to thank all the Hong Kong fans for their support,” he said. “I am glad that people start to know my name. I have grown up, but still have a lot to improve.”

Hong Kong’s young billiards team recorded another impressive result as Lo Ho-sum took bronze at the WPA World Junior Pool Championships held on 14 - 17 November in Shanghai, China.

Playing in the U19 field, Lo was in fine form throughout the competition before losing to Maksim Dudanets of Russia in the semi-final in a close 7-11 defeat.

It continues an exciting series of results for Hong Kong’s billiards team, with Ng On-yee being crowned double world champion in snooker, and Fung Kwok-wai and Lee Chun-wai winning bronze in the men’s team world championship, plus eight key Junior A results for the youngsters in the summer.

The Hong Kong team came back from the 13^th World Wushu Championships held on 11 - 18 November in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a terrific ten-medal haul, including five golds.

Geng Xiaoling starred with two individual golds, in the women’s changquan and gunshu events.

Additionally, there were two medals each for Zheng Tianhui and Yuen Ka-ying: the pair teamed up for gold in the women’s duilian, while Zheng won the shuangjian and Yuen took silver in the nangun.

Their efforts, and the rest of the team’s, pushed Hong Kong to fourth on the final medal table at the biennial event.

Equestrian athlete Cheng Man-kit won a silver medal in the 1.45m event at the CSI 3* Longines China Tour – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Cup Guangzhou Final held on 27 - 29 November in Guangzhou, China.

The Hong Kong rugby sevens team won a silver medal at the Asia Rugby Sevens Qualifier held on 7 - 8 November in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong squash team won a gold medal at the China Squash Championships held on 7 - 8 November in Xiamen, China.