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The University of Hong Kong (HKU) recently held the “Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme” Presentation Ceremony 2026, welcoming and celebrating the achievements of four outstanding student-athletes. The students were awarded the “HKU Lee Shau Kee Top Athletes Scholarship”, totalling HK$1.4 million, to support their dual track development of academics and sports.

Launched at the beginning of the 2022/23 academic year, the “Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme” aims to facilitate the enrolment of exceptional athletes into the University, with competitive admissions primarily based on candidates’ sporting achievements.

The awardees of this year include Emily Grace Polson (Sailing) and Lau Kin Hei James (Swimming), both of whom will represent the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and admitted to the Bachelor of Business Administration programme; Arianna Lau (Golf), set to pursue an undergraduate degree in the Bachelor of Arts; and Luk Chun Lok (Fencing), enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme.

Professor Bennett Yim, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Lee Shau Kee Foundation for their generous and staunch support of HKU, and acknowledged the unwavering support from various sports sectors in nominating outstanding student-athletes. Professor Yim stated, “We are incredibly proud to accompany our sports scholars on their dual-track pursuits of excellence in both academics and sports. Just last year, several of our sports scholars made their mark at the 15th National Games of China, and more are preparing to compete in the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.” Addressing the new cohort of sports scholars, he remarked, “As you embark on this exciting chapter, balancing your academic pursuits with athletic ambitions, know that HKU stands ready to support you every step of the way.”

Emily Grace Polson, the third runner-up in senior-level 49erFX regatta at the 15th National Games of China, has earned exceptional accolades in the international sailing arena. Among her impressive achievements are winning the U17 Championship title at the 2023 29er World Championships and securing the 29er Asian Championship title in the same year. Now competing in the 49erFX class, Emily is set to represent HKSAR at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games and further aims for Olympic qualification in 2028. She will commence her undergraduate journey at HKU in the Bachelor of Business Administration programme. Grateful for the Scholarship, she shared, “Balancing elite competition with academic commitments has taught me discipline and resilience. The Scholarship allows me to pursue both goals without compromise and represent HKSAR on the world stage.”

As the first golf player admitted to HKU via the “Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme”, Arianna Lau began her golfing career at a young age and has represented HKSAR at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and the 15th National Games of China. She has achieved several notable milestones, including becoming the first Hong Kong golfer to win the Girls 15-18 division of the 2024 IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships. In 2025, she made history as the first Hong Kong player to reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. With a deep passion for writing, Arianna is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts programme at HKU, where she intends to pursue a major in English Studies. “I am grateful for the immense support HKU provides, including flexible study arrangements, individual academic tutoring, supportive resources, and physical training,” she stated. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to continue representing HKSAR in overseas tournaments while achieving one of my life goals in academics.”

Lau Kin Hei James has established himself as an outstanding swimmer, holding several records in Hong Kong, including U16 100m Breaststroke. He competed in the 11th  Asian Aquatics Championships 2025 in India as a member of the Hong Kong Swimming Team. Among his many achievements are a silver and a bronze medal in the 50m and 100m Butterfly Individual events, and a gold in the 4x100m Medley Relay at the Bahrain 2025 Asian Youth Games. As one of the youngest members to represent HKSAR at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, James is set to compete for the city again at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. He will be pursuing the Bachelor of Business Administration programme at HKU. Expressing gratitude for the flexibility provided, James stated, “With the relentless support from the ‘Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme’, I can pursue my studies at one of the world’s top universities while continuing my swimming career and maintaining a balance between both.”

Competing as a member of the Hong Kong Fencing Team on the international stage, Luk Chun Lok has displayed exceptional skill and determination. He captured a bronze medal in the Men’s Foil Individual (Cadet) event at the Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championships 2024 in Saudi Arabia and claimed gold in the Men’s Foil (Cadet) Team event at the Asian Cadet and Junior Fencing Championships 2025 in Kuwait. Chun Lok is admitted to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme at HKU. He expressed excitement for his upcoming dual-track journey as a student-athlete, sharing, “It feels like a dream to be accepted to HKU. In the future, I will continue to strive for excellence in my academics and pursue the best performance in fencing competitions, whether locally or internationally.”

The “HKU Lee Shau Kee Top Athletes Scholarship” was established in 2022 with support from the Lee Shau Kee Foundation. The Scholarship aims to support outstanding student-athletes admitted to HKU, enabling them to pursue dual-track development in sports and academics. Since its inception, a total of 30 top athletes have been awarded, including Coleman Wong (Tennis), Cindy Cheung Sum Yuet (Swimming), Tse Ying Suet (Badminton) and Russell Williams Aylsworth (Sailing).

HKU supports student-athletes admitted via the “Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme” with personal academic advice, flexible learning arrangements, counselling services, and physical training. The Scholarship awarded facilitates the holistic development of the athletes, helping them pursue their academic aspirations, explore international exchange opportunities, and continue to excel in their sporting careers.