Bun Scrambling Final returns to Cheung Chau as bus captain and pro tree-climber crowned

Twelve finalists started crawling up the bun tower at the stroke of midnight as the grand Bun Scrambling Final returned to Hong Kong on Saturday. Chung Yuk-chuen, a KMB bus captain, defeated nine times champion Jason Kwok Ka-ming and was crowned in the men’s category for the first time. 

As for the women’s category, Wong Ka-yan won her sixth championship and also the “Queen of Queens” award for obtaining three championships in the women’s category since 2016. 

Meanwhile, Lai Wai-chun won the “Full Pockets of Lucky Buns” award, gathering the highest number of 121 buns. 

Chung was excited that he finally became the champion. after having won runner-up in 2014 and 2018 and second runner-up in 2010 and 2013. 

He added he never thought about winning, which he said depended on his luck and experience. He also pointed to his special strategy for a “safe landing.” 

Wong, on the other hand, sighed relief after the contest as she said she felt immense pressure beforehand and noted her strong opponents. Wong continued that she remained advantageous in the competition given she is a tree-climbing athlete herself. 

When asked if she would take part in the event again in the future after winning the top honor of “Queen of Queens,” Wong said competing in the contest requires a lot of effort and hoped she can train more athletes instead. 

Kwok and Janet Kung Tsz-shan, the two champions in 2019, were disqualified as they both couldn’t set their feet on the ground for a touchdown in time. 

Kwok said he had prepared enough time for landing, but it had been three years since the last contest, and he was not familiar with the new equipment and faced some technical issues. He added bad luck contributed to his losing and noted he will be back next year to strive for a better result. 

The opening ceremony began at 11.30 pm last night and featured guest hosts including Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Vincent Liu Ming-kwong, and Randy Yu Hon-kwan, chairman of Islands District Council. 

The event, staged at the soccer pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground, attracted over 1,400 spectators. The three-level bun tower, standing at 14 meters, had a total 9,000 “ping on” buns on it. There were 900 nine-point buns at the top level, 1,700 three-point buns at the mid-level, and 6,400 one-point buns at the bottom. Whoever scores the highest marks wins. 

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