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The A.S. Watson Group/Hong Kong Sports Institute Outstanding Junior Athletes Awards held the third quarter prize presentation today (Thursday) at the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI). Chan Yin-man, gold medallist in the ladies' sabre individual and sabre team at the Asian Fencing Youth Championships, Leung Shu-hang and Tan Kai-hung, swimmers from the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped, who captured two gold, one silver, one bronze medals and two silver, two bronze medals respectively at the INAS-FID Global Games in Sweden, honoured the titles for their performance in the international sporting arena during the period. The winning trio each received a cash prize of $2,500, a sports gears voucher of $2,500 and a certificate of merit.

Chan Yin-man, aged 17, got to know and was interested in fencing in primary four. She received formal training since 2002, and made her international debut at the Taiwan Open in 2003 when she had a good start of winning a bronze medal in the individual and a silver medal in the team event.

"Having been trained for only three years, I'm very happy to win the award, which is an encouraging recognition of junior athletes' hard work," said Chan, a student from the School of Continuing Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The up-and-coming fencer hopes to have great achievement as her role model, Chinese fencer Wang Haibin, does. "I hope I can participate in the Asian and World Championships and win medals for Hong Kong."

17-year-old Leung Shu-hang was happy to learn the news of winning the junior award, saying, "Bagging six gold medals in the New Zealand Special Olympics National Games in 2001 is unforgettable, while winning the Awards is exciting likewise," said the promising swimmer.

Leung started formal training in swimming since 1998 and was then selected to represent Hong Kong in the Special Olympics World Summer Games the following year when she came third in the 50-meter freestyle and 4x50-meter medley relay.

She has set her sights of representing Hong Kong in the 2006 FESPIC Games and the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. "I'll continue to improve my skills and strive for best performance at the Games," she added.

18-year-old Tan Kai-hung first tried swimming in 1996 and was selected into the national team two years later. He first represented the territory in the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games where he returned with one gold, two silver and one bronze medals.

"It's no doubt a great honour. I'm so happy to have been selected as one of the Awards recipients. Other juniors also did very well during the period and it's good to see our effort being recognised," said the rising swimmer.

Tan also took this opportunity to thank his mother for her full support in the sport. "I will devote more time and effort. My immediate target is to win gold medals at the British Open in May as the best Mother's Day present," said Tan, a student from the Shatin Public School.

Presented by the HKSI with the sponsorship of the A.S. Watson Group as well as the support from the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and the Hong Kong Sports Press Association (HKSPA), the A.S. Watson Group/Hong Kong Sports Institute Outstanding Junior Athletes Awards scheme aims to recognise the achievement of local junior athletes on a quarterly basis.