The new academic year has begun, and among the students settling into lectures, laboratories and tutorials are 10 elite athletes balancing an additional commitment: representing Hong Kong on some of the world’s biggest sporting stages. Admitted through PolyU’s Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission (SALSA) Scheme, they are pursuing the dual ambition of academic achievement and sporting excellence.

Their sporting accomplishments span badminton, esports, football, figure skating, karate, squash, taekwondo and wushu, while their academic interests are equally diverse. This year’s cohort is studying disciplines ranging from Accounting and Finance, Management and Marketing, and Applied Social Sciences to Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, Fashion and Sports Technology.

For these student-athletes, the transition to university life marks the beginning of another challenge: excelling in the classroom while maintaining the rigorous training schedules and competitive commitments required at the highest levels of sport.

Among them is Chan Pak Yin, Hong Kong’s first full-time esports athlete admitted through the SALSA Scheme. Following podium finishes at major international competitions and a career-best result at the 2026 Esports World Cup, he is now pursuing a degree in Management and Marketing while continuing to compete on the global stage. Chan said he was grateful for the University’s flexible learning support, which allows him to balance training, international competitions and studies. He added that he hopes to continue bringing honours to Hong Kong on the international esports stage while inspiring more esports athletes through his own experience.

The cohort also includes football player Ichikawa Sohgo, who plays football for the Hong Kong Premier League side Lee Man Football Club and helped Hong Kong achieve a historic semi-final finish at the previous Asian Games. Now pursuing studies in Accounting and Finance, he said PolyU’s flexible class schedules give him the confidence to balance his football career with academic development while planning for his future career.

Badminton player Cheung Sai Shing recently captured gold in the mixed doubles (U19) at the Indonesia Junior International Grand Prix, building on his silver-medal performance in the mixed doubles at last year’s Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. Studying Applied Social Sciences while preparing for both the Asian Games and World Junior Championships, PolyU offers him an environment where sporting and academic aspirations can flourish together. He noted that the University’s badminton team is highly competitive and that he hopes to dedicate himself to social policy and social innovation in the future so that he can give back to society.

Meanwhile, figure skater Jarvis Ho, a five-time medallist at the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy, is pursuing Physiotherapy while continuing to train and compete at the highest level. Having experienced the physical demands of elite sport firsthand, he understands the vital role physiotherapists play in supporting athletes’ recovery and performance. Drawn by PolyU’s long-established Physiotherapy programme and comprehensive support for student-athletes, Jarvis can focus on both his studies and preparations for the next year’s World University Games in Changchun and Jilin City. Looking ahead, he hopes to become a professional physiotherapist while also contributing to the development of winter sports in Hong Kong.

To support student-athletes throughout their university journey, PolyU provides a comprehensive range of resources, including academic mentoring, flexible class and assessment arrangements, residential hall opportunities and scholarships worth up to HK$400,000 for SALSA students. These initiatives ensure that talented athletes can continue striving for excellence while preparing for success beyond sport.