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Windsurfer Chan Hei-man and wushu performer Fung Wing-see caught the eyes of judges to win, for the first time, the Hong Kong Sports Institute Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards for the third quarter of 2006 following their brilliant results achieved during the period.

A presentation ceremony was held today (Wednesday) at the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) to present prizes to the two recipients who each received a cash prize of HK$2,500, a sports gears voucher of HK$2,500 and a certificate.

15-year-old Chan Hei-man outclassed 13 promising windsurfers from all over the world to win a gold medal in the mistral junior girls' event at the 2006 Mistral Youth & Junior World Championships held in Italy in August.

"I am very happy to receive the Awards which not only highlight achievements of local junior athletes but also bring us tangible rewards as recognition that drives us to train hard for better sporting performance," said Chan at the Ceremony.

The up-and-coming windsurfer started formal training in the sport in 2000 and first represented Hong Kong two years later in the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macau Youth Series where she came first in the girls' category (group B). "I would like to offer my sincere thanks to my parents, teammates and in particular my coach whose encouragement and support provide me stimulation to have made stable progress and hopefully achieve better results in the future," said the youngster who was invited to join the Hong Kong windsurfing team for further training this year.

"I hope I can be as successful as Lee Lai-shan whose skills, enthusiasm as well as her attitude towards the sport have influenced me a lot," said the fourth form student at the Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section).

Wushu performer Fung Wing-see at age 13 earned her first outstanding junior athlete title after capturing a gold medal in the jianshu (group B) and a silver medal in the qiangshu (group B) at the 1st World Junior Wushu Championships held in Malaysia in August.

Fung first picked up the sport of windsurfing seven years ago and received formal training in 2002. Her international debut came in the Asian Youth Wushu Championships in Singapore last year where she won two gold medals in changquan and qiangshu.

"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 Fung at the Ceremony.

Despite her age, Fung has set her sights of representing Hong Kong to gain success in the Asian Games. "Although I still have a long way to catch up with top athletes in the world, I believe I could accomplish the goal if I keep working hard," she added.

In addition, 15 athletes were presented certificates of merit and appreciation to recognise their outstanding performances from July to September 2006. Among them, wushu performers Yuen Ka-ying, Liu Yee-shan and Kwan Ning-wai each received a certificate of merit in recognition of the gold medal they have won in the dual event at the 1st World Junior Wushu Championships. Meanwhile, 12 athletes including Lai Chun-ho (athletics), Kwok Ho-ting (cycling), Lai Zin-man and Magali Tong (equestrian), Poon Chun-kit and Ng Chi-ching (gymnastics), Ma Man-sum (karatedo), Lai Tim-wai and To Yuk-ting (rowing), Chiu Chung-hei (table tennis), Sze Hang-yu (swimming) and Heung Pak-san (windsurfing) were each presented a certificate of appreciation.

Presented by the HKSI with the support from the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and the Hong Kong Sports Press Association, the Awards scheme aims to recognise the achievement of local junior athletes on a quarterly basis.