Spider-Man and putting Hong Kong on the map inspire promising figure skater Kahlen Cheung
- Teen prodigy Cheung wants to ‘make my mark in the figure skating industry’ and put city on the map
- Cheung says ‘two or three’ local skaters could thrust Hong Kong to recognition in figure skating industry
“With great power comes great responsibility.” So said Uncle Ben to his superhero nephew in Stan Lee’s popular Spider-Man comics. Who would have thought Marvel's Peter Parker principle could apply to a hungry Hong Kong figure skater.
“I think Uncle Ben's quote really relates to skating,” said 16-year-old Kahlen Cheung Cheuk-ka, one of the city's most exciting prospects. “When you do jumps or spins, you have a lot of power and energy, but it's nothing without control and responsibility. You can't overpower it, or else you go sideways, or fall and hurt yourself badly. You have to counter everything with control.”
Cheung returned disappointed from Estonia last month after she and 47 of the world's other top ladies juniors battled it out at the International Skating Union (ISU) Junior World Figure Skating Championship.
An underwhelming performance in the short track meant she would not advance to the next day's free skate. Nonetheless, she is straight back to the drawing board as she plots her next step.
“I was really confident and all my jumps and spins were solid, but I didn't do as I expected to. I'm disappointed because this competition helps the country you're representing get spots for next season's junior grand prix. I could only get three spots instead of five or seven,” said Cheung, who studies at Sha Tin College.