New Stars

Page 8

Fira Tsui Tsz-kiu

Hong Kong, China Mountaineering and Climbing Union

Hong Kong Sport Climber

“I started sport climbing just for fun; I never imagined I’d compete internationally.” With these candid words, young athlete Fira Tsui Tsz-kiu captures the essence of sport—joy. It was this pure sense of joy that led her to embark upon the sport climbing journey. Step by step, she has climbed her way onto the world stage and become a rising sport climbing star in Hong Kong.

A Glimpse of Talent in Summer Class

Fira first came across sport climbing during a summer class in primary school. She knew nothing about the sport back then and simply wanted to try something new. “Not only was I not afraid of heights, I actually did really well and it gave me immense satisfaction,” she recalled with a smile. The summer ended, yet her sport climbing journey had only just begun.

Fira was soon invited to join the junior squad where she swiftly distinguished herself through her outstanding performance. Within a few years, she swept local youth competitions and went on to win bronze in the Asian Youth Sport Climbing Championships, marking her emergence on the international stage.

Self-Transcendence through Hard Work

Though sport climbing may appear spontaneous, it is incredibly demanding in terms of physical strength, skills and mental resilience. Week after week, Fira trains with unwavering dedication. “The greatest challenge in sport climbing is not physical but mental. When facing unfamiliar routes in competitions, being able to stay calm holds the key to victory,” said Fira. Once passionate about playing squash, she now prefers solo sports for the enjoyment of competing against herself rather than others. With every move and decision resting solely on her, she finds great fulfilment every time she transcends her limits.

Going Full-Time with an Eye to the World Stage

This year marks a major turning point in Fira’s journey—she officially became a professional athlete and won first place in the Hong Kong Bouldering Championships, putting her in a strong position to represent Hong Kong in upcoming international competitions. Her poise and precision on the wall have earned her a chorus of compliments. However, her journey has not always been smooth. She recalled that the China National Youth Climbing Championships in 2023 was especially challenging: “It was below 10 degrees, making it difficult to even warm up. In sport climbing, it’s easy to lose agility or get injured without a proper warm-up, which affects your performance.”

Scaling New Heights

Looking ahead, Fira stated her aspiration to scale new heights on the international stage, but emphasised that her immediate goals are to secure a top-three finish in this year’s National Games and Asian Cup and to set new personal bests. “Although I am still at the beginning of my journey as a professional athlete, I truly believe that I will get closer and closer to the summit,” she said with a quiet determination.

Fira also took the opportunity to encourage fellow youths to give sport climbing a go, “Don’t be intimidated by obstacles or heights. Sport climbing comes in various styles, everyone can find their own way. Above all, enjoying the climb is what truly matters.” Even after eight years in the sport, she saw herself as a work in progress, still exploring the style that suits her best, which is a lifelong pursuit for every sport climber.

From a summer class to a professional career, from school events to the global stage, Fira’s path proves that when passion meets perseverance, anything is possible. Her story echoes the broader spirit of Hong Kong’s young athletes: the summit is within reach—for those bold enough to climb, resilient enough to rise, and steadfast in their pursuit of the peak.