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Two UM students win for Macao the first-ever bronze medals in artistic cycling at the UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships 2010 and in three-metre springboard diving (women’s singles) at the Asian Games 2010 respectively

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UM holds a reception to celebrate
the historic sports achievements of
Wong Hang Cheong and Choi Sut Ian
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On 6 December the University of Macau (UM) held a reception to congratulate two students Wong Hang Cheong and Choi Sut Ian on their winning for Macao the first-ever bronze medals in artistic cycling at the UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships 2010 and in three-metre springboard diving (women’s singles) at the Asian Games 2010 respectively.

Dozens of teachers and students, including UM Rector Wei Zhao, Vice Rector Prof. Simon Ho, president of the executive committee of the Cycling Association of Macao Mak Chi Kun, vice president of the executive committee of the Cycling Association of Macao Ieong Cheong Seng, coach Lou Lan Fong, Ng Do Rosario Sio Wan of the Swimming Association of Macao, coach Zhang Zilin (pronunciation in Putonghua), coach Zheng Jiachun (pronunciation in Putonghua), chair of the Sports Committee of UM Prof. Leung Shing On, president of the Sports Association of UM Students’ Union Mr. James Chan Kin Seng, medallists Wong Hang Cheong and Choi Sut Ian, and three other students who also participated in the Asian Games 2010, namely Au Ieong Sin Ieng, Lei Cheok Fong and Pun Ka Man, attended the reception.

Wong Hang Cheong is a PhD student of the Department of Electromechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology. At the UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships 2010 held in Stuttgart, Germany, last month, he won for Macao the first-ever bronze medal in artistic cycling at the world championship and ascended to No. 3 in world rankings with an Asian-record-breaking score. Previously he won a gold medal at the 2009 East Asian Games. “I’m very grateful to UM, especially to my teacher Prof. Wong Pak Kin for his encouragement and support in my study and work. His support enabled me to concentrate on the championship and eventually won the medal,” said Wong. “My thanks also go to Macau Sport Development Board and the Cycling Association of Macao. Their thoughtful arrangements concerning my training and the competition made the whole process smooth and glitch-free in every detail. Of course, there is my coach, whom I couldn’t thank enough. Without my coach, it wouldn’t have been possible for me to win the medal. ”

Choi Sut Ian is a second-year student of the Department of Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. She won the bronze medal in three-metre springboard diving (women’s singles) with impressive performance at the Asian Games 2010 held in Guangzhou this month, with ranking next only to He Zi and Shi Tingmao, both of whom are members of China’s National Diving Team. This is the first time in two decades that a Macao athlete has won a medal in swimming at the Asian Games, fulfilling the long-cherished dream of Macao people. “It wasn’t easy to win this medal, so it means a lot to me,” remarked Choi. “It tells me that my persistence of so many years has not been in vain. It also lets me understand that one cannot reap without sowing. It makes me more determined to keep on working hard at it. I want to thank the Macao SAR government, Macau Sport Development Board and UM for their support for us athletes. I’m also grateful to the teachers, professors and my schoolmates for their unceasing encouragement and help, which freed me of all worries and allowed me to totally focus on the competition. I will carry on with my training and I hope I can win more medals in future events and bring glory to UM and Macao.”

In his speech UM Rector Wei Zhao praised Wong and Choi for obtaining for Macao the first-ever bronze medals in artistic cycling and in three-metre springboard diving at the two major international meets, saying that all UM members felt enormous proud, encouraged and excited about their historic sports achievements. Rector Wei Zhao said: “Sports are not just a form of exercise. Like many other activities, sports test our limits and persistence. Sports are an important part of the whole-person education, and the University of Macau pays a lot of attention to students’ development in this respect. In the future, we will do more to help students grow in training, sports, scientific research, etc., through the implementation of a system of residential colleges, and we hope that through such a mechanism we can nurture more outstanding graduates who can serve Macao, China and the world. ”

Prof. Leung Shing On, chair of the Sports Committee of UM, and Mr. James Chan Kin Seng, president of the Sports Association of UM Students’ Union, praised Wong and Choi for turning a new page in the sports history of Macao with their tenacity and persistence, saying that the two have set a good example to the other students by striking an excellent balance between their roles as university students and professional athletes, and the fact that they excel in both sports and study will certainly encourage UM’s development in sports.
 


07/12/2010