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athlete of the week

Kevin Kung

Name Thomas Lee Kwan-shing
Sport Water polo

Achievements Thomas, 22, is part of the Hong Kong water polo team. Last year, he took part in the Asian Games in Guangzhou and scored a goal against the China team, which eventually won the silver medal.

He and his team won the 11th and 12th Asia Pacific water polo tournaments, held in Hong Kong the past two years. They also came fourth in last year's Asian Water Polo Cup, held on the mainland.

The team came ninth in the water polo event at the 11th National Games of the People's Republic of China in 2009. Thomas also played in the 2009 Asian Water Polo Championship.

Soundbite 'I started playing water polo about 10 years ago. Five years on, I was training regularly,' Thomas says.

'Hong Kong chose 13 players for the 2006 Doha Asian Games and I was No 14, meaning I could only be the reserve, being inexperienced.

'I was disappointed but understood I was a long way from the standards required to play in the majors. I thought about quitting but gave up the idea. I wanted to give myself another chance and to play in the Asian Games at least once.

'Not being a fast swimmer, I worked to improve my speed in short-distance swimming. That effort made my Asian Games dream come true last year.

'Although we can't train full-time like foreign athletes, we are improving and raising the standard of the sport in Hong Kong. I like staying with the team when travelling. We always face much stronger teams, but we are not afraid. It is a way to learn from the top teams.

'In September, I am going to Britain to study for a master's degree. I will continue training there so I can represent Hong Kong in future majors. Water polo in Britain is popular and universities there hold a league competition.'

From his coach 'After the Asian Games in October, we recruited new blood and competition among the players is more intense than before. Thomas has kept his form and plays even better now. He is serious about training and is valuable to the team,' says Zhao Jinwen, head coach of the Hong Kong team.

Ambitions 'I will continue to play water polo wherever I go. I hope I can play for Hong Kong again,' Thomas says.

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