Chui Ka-nok's experience as a member of the Hong Kong basketball and volleyball teams paved the way for a successful career as a sports host and commentator for more than two decades. Of all the Olympics he has covered, Chui rates this year's Beijing Games the most impressive.
A determination to excel in everything he does has helped former Hong Kong basketball and volleyball team member Chui Ka-nok become an acclaimed sports host and commentator for more than two decades.
Chui was invited to be a sports commentator for the ATV Home channel for the Beijing Olympic Games. His performance and rich knowledge of various sports was well-received by the audience. Some even described him as a 'sports dictionary'.
Chui, who has been a sports commentator at every Olympics since 1984 - seven in total - said this year's Games were the most impressive.
'I did intensive preparation over the past four years,' he recalls. 'From 2004 to 2008, I was a commentator at various sports tournaments for many TV channels. It was exhausting.'
He learned and memorised the rules, techniques and names of athletes in sports like gymnastics, swimming, tennis, table tennis, volleyball and basketball.
'Many said I had done a great job in 2004. But I could not do the same thing this year because the audience was largely different. At the Athens Olympics, some of the events were held late at night due to time zone differences, so many fans were sports fanatics. But at the Beijing Olympics, more people watched the Games, including those who seldom watch sports matches. So as a commentator, I not only have to act professionally, but also make it entertaining. It is much more challenging. I have to get to know more about each athlete's background - such as information about his family and his coach - to enrich my presentation and make it more amusing.' Chui says he read the audience's comments on ATV's website every day. 'It was great to see their praise. But if someone pointed out any mistake I made in the show, I could avoid repeating the same fault,' he says.