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Wushu performers Fung Wing-see and Chan Pak-hei named the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) Outstanding Junior Athlete for the second quarter of 2007 following their remarkable sporting achievement during the period.

A presentation ceremony was held today (Wednesday) where the two juniors each received a cash prize of HK$2,500, sports gears voucher worth HK$2,500 and a certificate. In addition, squash players Fung Ngo-long and Liu Tsz-ling were each presented a certificate of merit to recognise their outstanding performance.

14-year-old Fung Wing-see snatched a gold medal in the women's elementary jianshu (group B) at the 4^th Asian Junior Wushu Championships held in June in Korea. The event featured 22 promising players from 15 countries/cities including China, Japan, Korea and Singapore.

The second-time winner Fung was happy to receive the honour again. "Winning the Award again is definitely encouraging. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my coaches and teammates. Without their support, I would not have been able to win this Award again," said Fung, a recipient for the third quarter of 2006, at the presentation.

Fung joined the sport at six and began formal training at the HKSI four years ago. Her international debut was the Asian Junior Wushu Championships held in Singapore in 2005 where she won gold medals in changquan and qiangshu respectively. The junior has set her sights on the forthcoming World Junior Wushu Championships, saying, "I'll keep up the good work aiming to achieve better results in the competition."

Up-and-coming Chan Pak-hei was also awarded the honour for his outstanding performance at the 4^th Asian Junior Wushu Championships. Competing against top juniors from nine countries including Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines, Chan won a gold medal in the men's elementary jianshu (group B) and a bronze medal in the men's 24 forms taijiquan (group B).

"I'm really happy to win the award for the first time which helps boost my confidence in the upcoming competitions. The Award offers recognition to local junior athletes and the efforts they have put in, fueling us to strive for sporting excellence," said the 14-year-old Chan who started playing the sport at five under the influence of his elder brother. He received formal training in the sport in 2001 and first represented Hong Kong four years later to take part in the 3rd Asian Junior Wushu Championships where he returned with two bronze medals.

"I like the sport very much and always want to be as successful as To Yu-hang, the world champion. Although it is still a long way to go, I will work harder in future and hopefully I can also become the world champion," said Chan.

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 under the age of 19 on a quarterly basis.