A LOCAL TEENAGER has made nonsense of the Hong Kong misconception that young people can't excel in sport and at school simultaneously.
Hong Kong junior squash team member and inter-school champion, student leader, and top grade scorer Vincent Yu Hok-yan has accepted an unconditional place at the renowned Princeton University in the United States.
The 18-year old super-student turned down offers from several other leading institutions including Yale and Cornell, and will fly out to New Jersey to begin a four-year under-graduate programme in August.
'Playing a lot of sport doesn't affect the academic side as long as you balance it sensibly and don't over indulge,' said Vincent who is considering majoring in either financial engineering or astrophysics.
'Hong Kong people, especially parents, should encourage youth to develop sports talent. It will help, not hinder them,' said Vincent - who also found time this year to work with the Joint Schools Science Exhibition Organising Committee - a major student-led project.
'Universities measure you as a whole person and my squash ability definitely helped me get a place,' said Vincent who sat his sixth and final IB (International Baccalaureate) exam at Li Po Chun United College last Friday.
His school has predicted he will score near maximum points in Chinese, English, Maths, Economics, Physics, and Chemistry and achieve an overall A grade. Despite looming exams, in the last six months Vincent has travelled to compete for Hong Kong at two major international junior events.