HKBU Alumnus Fung Ying-ki (Physical Education)

The BUddy Post has interviewed awardee of “Ten Outstanding Persons 2013” alumnus Fung Ying-ki who will share with us the challenges he faces in sports and career.

Reporter: Can you share with us your story?

Alumnus Fung: My story started at the age of 13. That year, I broke my arm in an accident and the wound got infected with bacteria which caused Acute Transverse Myelitis. I had been wheelchair-bound since then. It was not until 2000 that I could stand up again.

Reporter: How did you manage to stand up again?

Alumnus Fung: At the very beginning, I needed to clutch on things to move. Then I started to walk with walking aids and by trial and error, I found a way to stand steadily by myself. Then I tried to walk step by step and finally in 2002, I could walk again. This is not just miracle but an actualisation of will power.

Reporter: When did you start learning fencing?

Alumnus Fung: I picked up fencing in 1994 and immediately fell in love with it. Over time, I became a professional wheelchair fencing player. I needed to practice 6 hours a day from 4pm till 10pm and pay attention to my study as well. I communicated my need to my school and fortunately, did pretty well in time management. I was a member of Hong Kong’s wheelchair fencing team from 1995 to 2006.

Reporter: How did you plan for your study and career before you officially stepped down from professional fencing?

Alumnus Fung: Every sportsman will one day step down and that’s why I studied for my Bachelor's degree in Physical Education at HKBU. In the 3-year course, I have learnt how to educate people through sports and gained knowledge in recreational management. I also discovered that I have a keen interest in sports medicine and so after graduating from HKBU, I went to Taiwan for a Master’s programme in Sports Bio-mechanics. I then returned to Hong Kong and pursued a PhD in Orthopaedics and Traumatology but in the end I gave up and turned to study for a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy. I hope I can help people recover with my own hands. Next year, I will start offering my physiotherapy service in Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council.

Reporter: What has fencing brought you?

Alumnus Fung: To me, the medals I got are second to the analytical training of my mind that fencing gives me. First, I learn Physics from fencing because I need to attack my opponents within the shortest distance and time and with the least energy. This technique can also apply to jobs. For example, I want to become a physiotherapist and I would think of the quickest way to achieve this goal. Second, I learn to observe. I observed that people in Hong Kong desire for human care, which is not replaceable by machines. That’s the reason why I chose to study Physiotherapy. Last but not the least, I learn strategies from fencing. We need to have strategies for our life. For instance, I would like to ride on my award of Ten Outstanding Young Persons to encourage others to help people.

Reporter: What are the pre-requisites for being awarded “Ten Outstanding Young Persons”?

Alumnus Fung: My definition of “outstanding” is that a person can excel himself with his strengths. It is not something about prizes. To me, being “outstanding” is being able to promote my beliefs and influence more people in society to serve the community and help people. Since my stepping down in 2006, I have done many things to encourage the disabled to participate in sports. I have been a member of the Classification Committee of the International Paralympic Committee in which I was responsible for making sure that every sportsman can compete on a level playing field. I also help out in the wheelchair race of the Hong Kong Marathon with a view to promoting “integrated sports”.

Reporter: Would you share your words of wisdoms with fellow HKBU students?

Alumnus Fung: We should not just cherish for a degree without any objective in mind. We should know what we want to achieve. I always remind myself, “When I think I know everything, I am a Bachelor’s degree holder; when I think I know something, I am a Master’s degree holder and when I find that I know nothing, I am a Doctoral degree holder.” We should pursue knowledge, not a degree title.

Interviewee’s Biography:

Alumnus Fung Ying-ki is a graduate of the Department of Physical Education at Hong Kong Baptist University. He was awarded “Ten Outstanding Young Persons 2013”. From 1995 to 2006, he was a member of the Hong Kong’s Wheelchair Fencing Team and won 5 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals in wheelchair fencing at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney and the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. He was awarded a Medal of Honour by the HKSAR Government in 2001 and named “Ten Resilient Heroes” by the Regeneration Society in 2004.