Chiu Kan-shan
Bachelor of Social Sciences in Social Work
Silver Medal, 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou
“I am committed to pushing limits in table tennis and academics.”
Chiu Kan-shan is a student in CityUHK's Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences and also a member of the Hong Kong table tennis team. In 2023, she participated in the 4th Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou and secured a silver medal in the women's singles table tennis TT7 class event.
After commencing her training at the Hong Kong Sports Institute in 2016, Kan-shan joined the Hong Kong table tennis team and participated in various singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.
2023 proved to be incredibly busy for Kan-shan as she engaged in numerous international competitions. With the aim of preparing for the Paralympic Games of Paris 2024, she competed in Poland, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan. Alongside her silver medal at the Asian Para Games, she achieved gold medals at the New Taipei City Para Open and the Taichung City Para Open, both organised by the International Table Tennis Federation.
One of the most unforgettable experiences for her was the opportunity to team up with Kelly van Zon, the top-ranked Dutch athlete in the world, for the women's doubles event at the New Taipei Para Open, where they delivered an impressive performance.
Driven by a profound interest in social work, Kan-shan applied for admission to CityUHK after learning about the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme through the Sports Association for the Physically Disabled of Hong Kong, China. She became a CityUHK student in the academic year 2023/24. As an individual with physical disabilities, she expresses deep gratitude towards social workers for their assistance. Through her studies in social work, she hopes to gain more knowledge about the work of social services organisations to provide aid to others.
The teachers and staff of the Department have played a pivotal role in helping her strike a balance between her studies and athletic career. Professor Cherry Tam Hau-lin, in particular, has recorded lecture videos, enabling her to adapt her studies to her sports schedule. The Department's Student Learning Advisors and the staff in Student Development Services have also been exceptionally supportive.
Kan-shan joined CityUHK's table tennis team and participated in a competition organised by the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China. Her goal is the Paralympic Games of Paris 2024, prompting her to plan her involvement in various international competitions to secure a higher position in the world rankings. She will commence more intensive full-time training to further enhance her skills and reach her peak performance levels for the Games.
In both her table tennis pursuits and university studies, Kan-shan is committed to pushing her limits and pursuing her dreams. She will continue to work diligently to become a better athlete while dedicating herself to her social work major, ultimately enabling her to contribute to society and help more people in the future.
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