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Among the record high 21 entries, Au Wing-chi, Chan Ho-ling, Chiu Ka-kei and Leung Shin-nga from squash, Sze Hang-yu from swimming, Kwok Hoi-ying from boccia, as well as Leung Shu-hang from swimming (mentally handicapped), who all performed brilliantly in the international sporting arena, shared the honour of the A.S. Watson Group/Hong Kong Sports Institute Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards for the third quarter, 2005.

A prize presentation was held today (Thursday) at the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) where dozens of guests coming from the organiser, sponsor, supporting organisations, National Sports Associations, coaches, families, school teachers and friends attended as a gesture of support to the recipients and the Awards.

"The competition is keen in this quarter since we have received a total of 21 individuals/teams of nominations, a record-breaking number for the Awards," said Dr Chung Pak-kwong, Chief Executive of the HKSI. "In appreciation to young athletes' hard work and efforts, we include a team event nomination for the Awards, grant four awards and six certificates of merit for the first time."

The winning athletes or team each was presented a cash prize of $2,500, a sports gears voucher of $2,500 and a certificate of merit by the representatives of the HKSI, the A.S. Watson Group, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and the Hong Kong Sports Press Association (HKSPA).

The junior girls' team, comprising Au Wing-chi (16), Chan Ho-ling (17), Chiu Ka-kei (17) and Leung Shin-nga (16), outclassed top players from all over the world to win a gold medal at the Women's World Junior Team Championships held in Belgium in July, a historical world junior title for Hong Kong squash. Their excellent achievements have caught the eyes of selectors to win the Awards which was first presented to a team.

The team thanked their coaches and parents for guiding and supporting them to success in the sport. "We shall keep working hard and set sight at winning the honour again in the coming Asian Junior Championships and World Junior Championships to be held in Hong Kong in 2007," the four promising players said together at the presentation.

17-year-old Sze Hang-yu returned with four gold medals (50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly) at the Asian Age Group Swimming Championships held in Bangkok in August. The event featured leading junior swimmers from 15 countries/cities in Asia.

"I'm glad to be one of the recipients again," said the swimmer, who first won the title in the 4^th quarter of 2004. "It will definitely help boost my confidence and give me extra impetus to break into the world's elite," added Sze, a holder of nine Hong Kong swimming records (three in long course and six in short course).

19-year-old Kwok Hoi-ying earned her first outstanding junior athlete title after capturing a gold medal in BC2 singles in a pool of 28 promising athletes from the region and a gold medal in the team (out of 10) at the Asian & South Pacific Boccia Championships held in September in Malaysia.

"I haven't thought of winning the Award because other candidates also achieved excellent results during the period. It came a bit surprise but I'm really happy to have won the title," said a delighted Kwok, who started the sport in 1999 and became the first boccia player to win the junior Awards.

Leung Shu-hang , aged 17, bagged with three gold medals (200m breaststroke, 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley) and three silver medals (50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke and 200m backstroke) at the INAS-FID World Swimming Championships held in Czech Republic in September.

"I was very happy to receive the Award again which offers junior athletes the chance to appreciate one another's achievements,"said Leung, also a winner of the third quarter, 2004. 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.

Presented by the HKSI with the sponsorship of the A.S. Watson Group as well as the support from the SF&OC and the 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.