Sports can enhance physical fitness and foster perseverance. Among a variety of sports, karate pursues the spirit of “subduing oneself and returning to propriety, and using martial forces for maintaining peace and order”. Mr. Tang Yu Hin, a year two Chung Chi student pursuing the Bachelor of Education in Physical Education, Exercise Science and Health degree programme, has a deep understanding of this spirit. He made a groundbreaking record by garnering the first gold medal on behalf of Hong Kong karate team in the Youth Male Individual Kata category of the Asian Youth Championships 2021. Two years later, Mr. Tang had another astonishing achievement by capturing the gold medal in the World Combat Games 2023 held in Saudi Arabia, attaining the world’s 1st place in the U21 Male Kata. What does Mr. Tang think of his success factors? What has he comprehended since he embarked on his career as a karate athlete?

Q: When did you become a full-time karate athlete? Have you nurtured your interest in karate since childhood?

My father is a karate coach. When I was just one year old, I followed my mum to visit his dojo out of curiosity. Though I was small, I was utterly impressed by this kind of sport. I told my dad I was eager to learn karate. At the age of three, I became my dad’s disciple. When I was a primary four student, I focused on practising kata and kumite, and received professional training in Japan, together with Hong Kong karate team. As karate originated in Japan, when I had training there for the first time, I was amazed by the Japanese’s pursuit of excellence in the embodiment of karate. In particular, kata, which involves single players, attaches great importance to the precise synergy of time, speed, and strength, placing equal emphasis on meticulousness, explosiveness, and the degree of balance. I then decided to concentrate on practising kata, and became a full-time karate athlete when I was sixteen years old, in the hope of spending more time learning and enhancing my skills.

Mr. Tang said kata attaches great importance to the precise synergy of time, speed, and strength, placing equal emphasis on meticulousness, explosiveness, and the degree of balance.

Q: What has made you successful? Have you suffered setbacks or bottlenecks?

When recalling the past tournaments in which I participated, I think what has made me successful may be letting go of the idea of winning. When I joined the Asian Games last year, I tried Team Kata for the first time. Aspiring to perform well and being so desperate to win the game, I dedicated tremendous efforts in training, even at the expense of the eight-month training for solo kata, which was proven to be counterproductive. My team ended up getting fifth place and I felt very frustrated. Totally at sea, I started to question my competence and even wanted to give up at that time. It was my dad who has enlightened me in terms of the question, “What is your original aspiration of becoming a karate athlete?” Pondering over it seriously, I recognised that being a karate athlete is solely out of interest and nothing related to winning. The most important of all is enjoying the process. After self-reflection, I concentrated on training, stopped obsessing over results, and continued to challenge myself to go beyond limits.

After suffering injuries and setbacks, Mr. Tang has let go of the idea of winning or losing. Even though he has been named the world’s no. 1, he won’t put too much pressure on himself.

Q: You are the first Hong Kong karate athlete attaining the world’s 1st place in the U21 Male Kata, do you feel particularly stressed in your athlete career?

After suffering injuries and setbacks, I have let go of the idea of winning or losing. Even though I have been named the world’s no. 1, I won’t put too much pressure on myself. After all, the career of athletes is exceptionally short. I hope to live in the moment and enjoy the training process. Just doing my part is good enough. Whether we win or lose in karate tournaments depends on a number of factors. Apart from personal conditions and on-the-spot performances, karate also encompasses a number of schools. The result is also affected by which school the judge prefers. Given such a lot of factors, I understand that the outcome can hardly be controlled. Making an all-out effort to training, facing the outcome with a calm demeanour, and seeking room for improvement are what I should uphold for being a full-time athlete.