Former windsurfer runs like the wind for Hong Kong rugby
- Although she started her competitive sports career as a windsurfer, Chan is now flying all over rugby pitches here in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Rugby Union women’s coach Jo Hull said Chan brings ‘strike power and pace’ to the national squad
Stephanie Chan Chor-ki has had the same dream for as long as she can remember: to be a professional athlete.
Born in Canada but raised in Hong Kong, she took a bit of a detour to land a spot as a full-time rugby player for Hong Kong’s national 15 and sevens squads.
When Chan was 11, her parents felt she needed an outlet for her restlessness, as her inability to sit still was driving her folks a bit bonkers.
“They wanted to find an outdoor activity for me,” said the 27-year-old. “Because I was too energetic, and windsurfing was perfect because I was out of the house all day.”
Chan competed in local windsurfing competitions and said she enjoyed it, however she realised fairly quickly she wasn’t good enough to make a career out of it. She was doing it part-time, and was competing overseas but wasn’t able to break into the top ranks of the sport and thus funding was minimal. She also noted the sport was expensive when it comes to equipment.