Medal hopes

Young Post has been following the progress of the athletes going to the Games since May. This time we have invited five medal hopefuls to talk about their preparations for the competitions and their hoped-for results in the "City of Deer".

Team: athletics (100m, 4x100m)

Ping-kwan also participated in the last All China Secondary School Students' Games in Changsha. His relay team came ninth. This time he expects to do better.

"I have been competing in overseas competitions since Primary Six. I would like to turn pro after my graduation and I think this competition is a chance for me to prove my ability," Ping-kwan says.

"I was in poor form earlier this year but now I am ready to achieve my personal best. My target is to enter the final of the 100m sprint and get a medal in the 4x100m relay."

Team: basketball (boys)

Yiu-fai helped his school win three major titles this year: Division One Inter-school, Jing Ying Tournament and Panasonic Inter-school Competition. He hopes for a "grand slam" by winning at the Inter-school Basketball Marathon before he leaves for Bautao.

"I have just completed a training camp at Chinese University. We did a lot of workouts to boost our fitness," Yiu-fai says.

"Based on China Intercity Games preliminary matches in Wuhan, I am confident my team will do well against strong opponents. I think we can get in the top 10."

Team: volleyball (girls)

Pik-sum is a volleyball and beach volleyball athlete who helped her school win the Kwai Tsing Inter-school Volleyball Competition and come third in the New Territories Beach Volleyball Competition. The Student Games is her second overseas tournament this year.

"Our team has improved a lot after the Schools Interport Championships," Pik-sum says.

"We are heading to Guangzhou for some friendly matches. I hope these matches can strengthen our team spirit. I think we can target to be in the top eight at the Games."

Team: volleyball (boys)

Jonathan is one of the youngest athletes in the delegation. Many people expect him to lead the Hong Kong youth team after more experienced players leave after exceeding the age limit. He is now in Shandong for China Intercity Games preliminary matches.

"I am lucky to have the chance to play in the Students' Games and Intercity Games," Jonathan says.

"It's a great chance for me to learn from senior players and immerse myself in the atmosphere of major tournaments. I hope I can improve mentally at the Games."

Team: table tennis (girls)

Crystal had a breakthrough in table tennis this year. The Hong Kong junior table tennis team player was awarded the New Territories Outstanding Table Tennis Athlete title. She also finished fourth in the Hang Seng All Schools Championship earlier this month.

"I will play in singles, doubles and teams at Bautao," she says.

"I have been doing two extra hours of training every night following my Hong Kong junior team training sessions. It is tough but I know this is the only way to succeed. I hope to advance from the group stage at the Games."