Power of perseverance wins medals on the table tennis court

Every medal tells a story of perseverance. At the recently concluded ITTF Asian Para Table Tennis Championships 2025 in Beijing, Joelle Wong, Yuen Wing-ki and Winnie Pang claimed two gold and two bronze medals for Team Hong Kong, China.

All three of these remarkable athletes are awardees of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship, which recognises students who have achieved excellence while demonstrating resilience and strength of mind to overcome adversity, and supports their undergraduate studies in Hong Kong. Two of them, Joelle and Winnie, are also recipients of the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, which recognise athletes’ high performance in major sports competitions. 

Joelle Wong, who suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, has muscle weakness and severe spinal scoliosis. Yet, she continues to shape a remarkable life on the table tennis court. Her unwavering determination has earned her numerous awards, including the championship in the Women's WS7 category at the Para Table Tennis Championships.  Having "been there and done that," she can now inspire others by showing that there is always a purpose for their talents.

Similarly, Yuen Wing-ki's journey also exemplifies resilience. Living with brittle bone disease, Wing-ki perseveres through rigorous training sessions each week. An accomplished athlete, she clinched a bronze medal in the Mixed Doubles Class XD10 at the Para Table Tennis Championships, proving that "with dreams and persistence, nothing is impossible".

Winnie Pang, who was born with congenital cerebral palsy affecting her right limb, demonstrates remarkable discipline in balancing her studies and training. She was awarded The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship this year, allowing her to focus on competitions without financial concerns. She won gold in the Mixed Doubles Class XD14 at the Para Table Tennis Championships while also securing bronze in the WS6 Women's Singles.

All three JC Scholars will soon represent Hong Kong in the National Games for Persons with Disabilities – continuing to inspire others through their determination and persistence.

Established in 1998, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships has supported more than 1,200 outstanding young people.