Athlete Yuen Wing-ki: 'Having goals is crucial; otherwise, you'll drift aimlessly.'
Table tennis resembles a game of battling monsters, filled with numerous levels and challenges that might lead you to doubt yourself or even contemplate giving up. But each time you overcome a challenge and feel your skills progressing, it motivates you to work even harder on your technique.
Yuen Wing-ki is a para table tennis player from Hong Kong, China, who joined the first year of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Animation and Digital Arts (ADA) at Lingnan University for the 2023/24 academic year through the Direct Entry Stream for Top Athletes (DESTA).
Wing-ki suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, commonly referred to as brittle bone disease. She undergone orthopaedic surgery, and frequent hospital visits have always been a part of her life, nevertheless her condition has not dampened her passion for table tennis. Her resilience, shaped by hardship, has led to numerous awards in international competitions, including the bronze medal in the Women's TT1-5 Singles Open at the 2019 IWAS World Games, and also in both the Women’s Singles WS4 and Mixed Doubles XD10 at the 2023 IWAS World Games.
"Table tennis is greatly appealing due to its variability, from the initial lack of coordination to gradual improvement, and, finally, the thrill of competing." Wing-ki recalls her most unforgettable match: "Winning the Mixed Doubles bronze at the 2023 IWAS World Games was unexpected, as our opponents were very strong. Some were even seasoned seniors, while my partner and I were newcomers." This surprising victory has motivated her to keep moving forward. "Seeing everyone's improvement in international competitions inspires me to redouble my efforts and keep pace with other athletes."
Wing-ki's challenges are not confined to the table; this year also marks a new chapter in her life. Having loved animation since childhood, her choice to study Animation and Digital Arts was influenced by her sister. "My sister studied film and took animation as an elective. Watching her create animations piqued my interest. This subject doesn't require rote learning, and my physical condition does not limit my learning." While proficient at table tennis, she describes her foray into 2D animation production, "Making a 20-second animation requires more than a hundred frames, so it's an interesting and challenging process".
As a university freshman, she works hard to balance her packed training schedule and academic responsibilities. She appreciates Lingnan University’s support for athletes, and their early course selection to accommodate training schedules. She is also thankful for her coach's guidance and her teammates' encouragement, saying “Focused training sessions are actually my relaxation time.”
Follow your own path, regardless of what others think. Giving up now would be a huge waste, so I'll persevere!
Wing-ki uses her experiences to inspire others. When facing challenges, she suggests reflecting on the effort and sweat you've invested, and using your dissatisfaction as motivation. "Having goals is crucial; otherwise, you'll drift aimlessly." Wing-ki is determined to train hard this year, aiming for success in the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities. She also hopes to excel in animation and digital art, and even dreams of one day pursuing an entrepreneurial venture together with her sister.
