Adam Mak Sai-ting was the second runner-up in the sportsperson category at the Student of the Year awards. Photo: HandoutAdam Mak Sai-ting’s journey into the world of swimming began when he was five years old when his mother took him to a swim lesson, believing that the sport would help alleviate his allergy.
He recalled that he fought hard not to get into the pool because he feared the water. However, once he overcame his initial reluctance, Adam soon found joy and comfort in moving through the pool like a fish. This newfound passion for swimming quickly became a part of his daily routine as he entered primary school.
“I love the breaststroke because of the smooth gliding after each stroke,” said the 17-year-old. “That peaceful, meditative moment in the water allows me to forget everything else and just be present in the joy of swimming.”
As Adam’s talent and interest in the sport grew, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his seemingly endless training. His work began after school, when other students took the time to enjoy a break or work on their homework.
His hard work and determination paid off, as he began breaking several Hong Kong records in both long and short-course swimming competitions.
Last year, Adam’s remarkable achievements reached new heights when he became the city’s first male swimmer to win gold at the junior world championships in Israel. In the boys’ 200-metre breaststroke event, he clinched the top spot with an impressive time of 2 minutes and 11.84 seconds.
Adam’s triumph made him the second Hong Kong athlete to claim gold at the prestigious World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships. Olympic and world record holder Siobhan Haughey was the first to do so in 2013.
Adam’s achievement won him the second runner-up in the Sportsperson category at last year’s prestigious Student of the Year (SOTY) awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).
SOTY 2022/23: Grand Prize second runner-up recounts humble upbringing
“The identity of an athlete is very important to me,” Adam, a St Joseph’s College graduate student, shared. “It is about persistence, dedication, and discipline. Being an athlete taught me to always set a target for myself and work hard to achieve it.”
Even when he is not training, the athlete mindset remains integral to Adam’s lifestyle. He understands the importance of maintaining his fitness and health to perform at his best. “I cannot get sick; it is very important,” he said.
To unwind and recharge, Adam engages in a variety of leisure activities. “I enjoy playing video games to relax and take my mind off swimming for a bit,” he shared. In addition to gaming, he also incorporates light stretching and mobility exercises into his downtime.
Adam’s success extends beyond the pool. He was a member of the Sunshine Action Steet Sleepers Programme, which helps homeless people in Hong Kong. In his free time, he participated by distributing dinner boxes, drinks, dry foods, blankets, haircuts, legal aid, and other essential services to those in need.
As a high-performance athlete, his remarkable achievements have earned him a coveted spot at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) through the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA), which supports students with sports talents in both their professional sportsmanship and undergraduate studies.
Adam humbly advised others to seek different opinions and perspectives when asked about the key to his success.
“Don’t be shy about seeking opinions and learning from others. Work hard and be persistent to improve your weaknesses,” he said. “It’s the attitude I’ve built up in training that inspires me in the way I treat people and life.”