Advertisement
University of Hong Kong athletes Coleman Wong, Adrian Yung and Russell Aylsworth on balance, backup plans and financial relief
- Tennis, alpine skiing and sailing trio have settled on degree titles for September but will be busy training overseas in between
- HKU’s flexible and lenient programme ‘unprecedented in Hong Kong’ and a ‘real game-changer’, says Aylsworth
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
University of Hong Kong (HKU) students-to-be Coleman Wong Chak-lam, Adrian Yung Hau-tsuen and Russell Aylsworth are already expert plate-spinners having balanced their fledgling sports careers through primary and secondary school.
Advertisement
As they pave their way to the senior circuits of their respective tennis, alpine skiing and sailing, the trio have been assured that the “unprecedentedly flexible” programme – worth HK$400,000 in scholarships – will not hamper athletic development.
Firming up his degree picks for the new academic semester, two-time junior grand slam winner Wong expects to continue training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain in a bid to break into the senior top 300 and reach the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“I’ll be studying for a [Bachelor of Business Administration] in September. I’m honoured to be a student at HKU – it’s been my dream since I was a child,” the 17-year-old said.
“[The flexibility] is super important because it’ll really let me keep travelling around the world while keeping my studies on point.
“Yes, I think I can balance sports and studies since my [older] sister is a also a student in the same subject so she can help me.”
Advertisement
Advertisement