Cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze gets top prize at sport 'Oscars'
Cycling star rewarded for a magnificent 2012 with top prize at Hong Kong sport's 'Oscars'
It was no surprise when cycling star Sarah Lee Wai-sze walked on stage to receive her Bank of China Best of the Best Sports Stars Award for 2012 from the hands of Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor last night.
At the annual presentation at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, the world-class track sprinter won the most votes among eight sports stars of the year, selected through a voting system involving the public, media and the sport community. It was her first major title at Hong Kong sport's "Oscars".
The seven other winners were Jiang Tianyi (table tennis), Yip Pui-yin (badminton), Yu Chui-yee (wheelchair fencing), Wong Ka-man (sports for intellectually disabled - table tennis), Ng On-yee (snooker), Geng Xiaoling (wushu) and Hayley Chan Hei-man (windsurfing).
It is the sixth time a cyclist has won the top honour following Wong Kam-po (three times), Steven Wong and Kwok Ho-ting, showcasing the success of the sport under head coach Shen Jinkang.
"This is a great recognition, not only from the sport community but also the general public," said the 25-year-old, whose previous best at the awards was in the potential stars category in 2010.
This is a great recognition, not only from the sport community but also the general public
"The Olympic Games is only held every four years, but I hope I can achieve good results every year in future. In fact, every time I miss out on a gold medal, it means there is still room for improvement."