Cover Paris 2024 is the city’s first Paralympics, welcoming about 4,400 Paralympians to compete in 23 disciplines (Photo: Getty Images)
Paris 2024 is the city’s first Paralympics, welcoming about 4,400 Paralympians to compete in 23 disciplines (Photo: Getty Images)
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From wheelchair fencing to boccia champions, Hong Kong is home to many record-setting Paralympians who continue to be role models for people with disabilities
From August 28 to September 8, Paris will host its first-ever Paralympic Games with an expected 4,400 Paralympians participating from all over the world. Though the Paralympics started unofficially in 1948 as a sports competition for World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries in England, it wasn’t until 1960 that they became associated with the Olympics. Since then, it has expanded into more disciplines with more participating countries, and in 1988, in Seoul, the Paralympics took place at the same venue as the Olympics. Today, the Paralympics stand as a remarkable and inspiring showcase of human abilities, promoting inclusivity and equality through sports.
Hong Kong is home to several talented Paralympians, who have won medals time and again. This time, there are seven Paralympians representing Hong Kong. Though many of these athletes have qualified under the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games’ minimum eligibility requirements, the official Paralympian roster has not yet been released by the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee.
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Alison Yu Chui-yee
Hong Kong’s own Alison Yu Chui-yee is the world’s most successful female Paralympian in the history of wheelchair fencing. At age 20, she took home four gold medals at her first Paralympics in Athens 2004, later winning gold, silver and bronze medals across different categories such as épée and foil at Beijing Paralympics 2008 and London Paralympics 2012.
Besides actively competing in the sport, the Paralympics champion is also an advocate for disability inclusion in the city and has co-founded the Fencing Sports Academy to introduce the sport to the youth. Yu is expected to participate in her sixth Paralympic Games this year in Paris—you can watch wheelchair fencing events between September 3 and 7.
Natasha Tse Pui-ting
Paralympian and dressage athlete Natasha Tse Pui-ting recently qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, her fourth consecutive Paralympics. Born prematurely with cerebral palsy, the athlete started riding for therapeutic reasons when she was only four. The passion grew and at age 15, Tse drew attention when she became the youngest para-equestrian competing at London 2012. Watch the young Paralympian and her horse Baxo, who are expected to compete at the para-dressage event between September 3 and 7.
Leung Yuk-wing
Leung Yuk-wing is a boccia Paralympian who won two gold medals in Athens 2004 and another one in Rio 2016—with four gold medals at the World Championships and Asian Para Games in between. Played by people with cerebral palsy or related neurological and mobility conditions, boccia is a competitive sport with no Olympic equivalent. The goal consists of throwing, kicking or using a ramp to propel a ball as close to the “jack” ball as possible. Tune in between August 29 and September 5 to watch Leung who is expected to perform in his sixth Paralympic Games this year.
Kelvin Tang Wai-lok
Above Para swimmer Kelvin Tang Wai-lok recently broke the 200m freestyle record in his category at the 2023 Asian Para Games (Photo: Getty Images)
Para swimmer Kelvin Tang Wai-lok recently broke the 200m freestyle record in his category at the 2023 Asian Para Games (Photo: Getty Images)
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Kelvin Tang Wai-lok won Hong Kong’s first gold Paralympics medal in para-swimming during the 2016 Rio Paralympics for the men’s 200m freestyle event. Though he failed to defend his title at Tokyo 2020, Tang broke the Asian Para Games record for his disability category in the 200m freestyle event, at 1 minute 56 seconds. Tang, who competes in the intellectual impairment classification, is expected to compete for Hong Kong at para-swimming events between August 29 and September 7.
Chan Yui-lam
Above Chan Yui-lam won the women’s 100m butterfly event at the 2023 Asian Para Games and has qualified for her second Paralympics at Paris 2024 (Photo: Getty Images)
Chan Yui-lam won the women’s 100m butterfly event at the 2023 Asian Para Games and has qualified for her second Paralympics at Paris 2024 (Photo: Getty Images)
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Taking home gold for the women’s 100m butterfly event at last year’s Asian Para Games, Chan Yui-lam hopes to keep the momentum going at this year’s Paris Paralympics. Born prematurely, Chan grew up with many health issues, including a respiratory condition. Having started swimming at the age of 10, her dedication to the sport grew and helped her manage her respiratory condition. Now competing in the intellectual disability category, Chan will attend her second Paralympics this year at Paris 2024.
Wong Ting-ting
At 17, Wong Ting-ting was one of 24 Paralympians sent to Tokyo 2020 where she secured bronze in the women’s singles para-table tennis. Competing with an intellectual disability, Wong is currently the world’s third-best female player in that category under the International Table Tennis Federation. With fellow Paralympian Ng Mui-wui, Wong won the World Para Table Tennis Championships 2022 in the women’s doubles category. Wong is expected to represent Hong Kong in Paris 2024. Para-table tennis is scheduled between August 29 and September 7.
Daniel Chan Ho-yuen
Currently the world’s top para badminton player, Daniel Chan Ho-yuen competes in the wheelchair category of the sport and is expected to play at Paris Olympics 2024. Chan lost a leg due to a car accident in 2008 and para-badminton helped him regain strength and confidence. Ten years later in 2018, the Hong Kong Paralympian made history by defeating South Korean champion Kim Jung-jun at the Australia Para Badminton International—Kim had been undefeated since 2012. At Tokyo 2020, Chan took home bronze at the men’s singles event in the wheelchair category. Watch para-badminton at the 2024 Paris Paralympics between August 29 and September 2.
Khoa Tran is Social Impact Editor at Tatler Hong Kong. He covers stories touching on sustainability, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and diversity. Trained as a lawyer, Khoa’s work as a writer had previously touched up topics such as regulatory compliance, ESG, and banking. Outside of the office, he enjoys rock climbing and relaxing in jazz clubs.
