Swimmer Jasmine Ng becomes Hong Kong’s youngest Paralympic medallist, winning bronze in Paris
Hong Kong Free Press
Swimmer Jasmine Ng has clinched bronze in the women’s 100-metre breaststroke, securing Hong Kong’s second medal at the Paris Paralympics.
The 14-year-old finished third with a time of 1:34.15 on Sunday afternoon in Paris, making her Hong Kong’s youngest Paralympic medallist.
Ng touched the wall just under three seconds behind Britain’s Maisie Summers-Newton, who took gold and set a new Paralympic medal. China’s Liu Daomin took silver with a time of 1:32.25.
Chief Executive John Lee congratulated Ng on her achievement on Sunday night. “[Ng] demonstrated superb swimming skills and great perseverance in the competition, achieving remarkable results in her first appearance at the Paralympic Games and winning a bronze medal,” Lee said in a statement.
“All Hong Kong people and I are proud of her excellent performance,” he continued.
Bronze medallists in the 2024 Paralympics receive HK$375,000 via the Hong Kong Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme.
“[Ng] outcompeted her opponents with perseverance and distinguished performance. We are so proud of her,” said Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung in a separate statement.
Ng took the title of Hong Kong’s youngest para-medallist from “wonderkid” sprinter So Wa-wai, who was just months older than the swimmer when he bagged his first medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
“I’m very happy, and very moved that I was able to get a medal in my main event,” Ng told reporters after the race.
She also said that she struggled to keep up her pace in the final quarter of the race, and would train harder once she returns to Hong Kong.
Ng’s bronze came after swimmer Chan Yui-lam took silver in the women’s 100-metre butterfly event. This Saturday, Ng will be compete in the women’s 100-metre backstroke.
Gold medal matches
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s boccia players have secured spots in three gold medal matches on Monday, guaranteeing them a spot on the podium.
Annie Cheung will be competing for gold against China’s Lin Ximei, after she won 7:0 against Malaysia. Also facing off for gold on Monday Paris time, will be Ho Yuen-kei, who secured a spot in the Boccia finals after winning against South Korea 4:1.
John Loung will face off against South Korea’s Jung Sungjoon in the gold medal match.
The city has 23 athletes competing in the Paralympics across eight sports: archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, equestrian, swimming, table tennis, and wheelchair fencing.
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