Hong Kong
EN
繁中
Malaysia
EN
BM
Philippines
EN
Singapore
EN
Taiwan
繁中
EN
Thailand
ไทย
EN
Vietnam
VN
Global
EN
繁中
Topics
BusinessLeadershipInnovationImpactWealthColumns
Style
FashionWatchesJewelleryBeauty
Dining
FoodDrinksGuides
Homes
Home ToursProperty
Lifestyle
ArtsEntertainmentWellbeingTravelSportsGear
Tatler Best
Awards
Best 100 HotelsBest 100 RestaurantsBest 100 BarsAbout Tatler BestDestination Guides
Community
Asia's Most InfluentialAsia's Most StylishGen.T Leaders of Tomorrow
More
VideosPodcastsNewsletters
Power & Purpose
Topics
BusinessLeadershipInnovationImpactWealth
Columns
Tatler WeekendOffering new perspectives from Asian leaders and everyday heroes on success, innovation and impactFounder StoriesThe untold stories and challenges of today’s entrepreneurs on their climb to the topScience of SuccessLeaders from diverse fields decode the habits, mindsets and best practices that lead to successBusiness of GoodHow to use wealth and influence to drive change through philanthropy and positive actionShe SpeaksOpen, inclusive and unfiltered conversations tackling the sensitive topics that impact womenStyle
FashionWatchesJewelleryBeautyGo to Style
Dining
FoodDrinksGuidesGo to Dining
Homes
Home ToursPropertyGo to Homes
Lifestyle
ArtsEntertainmentWellbeingTravelSportsGearGo to Lifestyle
Tatler Best
Awards
Best 100 HotelsBest 100 RestaurantsBest 100 BarsAbout Tatler Best
Destination Guides
BangkokHong KongKuala LumpurSingaporeTokyoCommunity
Asia's Most InfluentialAsia's Most StylishGen.T Leaders of TomorrowGo to Community
More
VideosPodcastsNewsletters
Global (EN)
Hong Kong
EN
繁中
Malaysia
EN
BM
Philippines
EN
Singapore
EN
Taiwan
繁中
EN
Thailand
ไทย
EN
Vietnam
VN
Global
EN
繁中
| Impact
By Zabrina Lo
Nov 28, 2024
Cover Hong Kong Paralympic swimmer Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Hong Kong Paralympic swimmer Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
1 / 1
Swimmer Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan became the youngest Hong Kong Paralympic medallist when she won bronze in Paris at the age of only 14—here’s how she went against all odds to reach her goal
It didn’t take long for Paralympic swimmer Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan to warm up at her photo shoot with Tatler in mid-October 2024. The 14-year-old, who constantly wore a big smile on her face, tried different poses for her cover shot: front on, hands on hips; or cheekily over her shoulder. “Jasmine says she wants to be a mermaid,” Ng’s friend and Paralympic badminton player Daniel Chan Ho-yuen, who was also at the studio for the December cover shoot, tells the photo team—to which Ng responded with a shy giggle that couldn’t conceal her excitement.
But when it’s time to be serious, the effervescent teenager brings her A-game, and doesn’t let anything, not even hypochondroplasia, the genetic defect that results in her short stature and limbs, stop her from realising her goals.
In case you missed it: Beyond Olympics: Meet Ryan Leung, the only Hong Kong swimmer to cross the North Channel
Above Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan wears a Southcape outfit from Lane Crawford (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan wears a Southcape outfit from Lane Crawford (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
1 / 1
In September, Ng clinched her first Paralympic medal, a bronze, in the women’s 100m breaststroke at the Paris Games, making her the city’s youngest Paralympic medallist.
She competed in the SB6 category, which is for swimmers with short stature, absence of limbs or co-ordination moderately affected on one side, or the lower trunk. These swimmers must expend more effort and energy to maintain balance or gain speed. “I need to paddle the water twice as often and double the speed of my movements to be on par with abled-bodied swimmers,” Ng says.
Above Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan wears a Zara out (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan wears a Zara out (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
1 / 1
Her parents started her in swimming lessons at the tender age of three. “At first, it was so physically demanding that I asked my family if I could just give up,” she recalls. “But they wanted to make sure I exercised for my health, and gave me a lot of encouragement. Gradually, I found it fun to challenge myself and how fast I could go. Now, I love focusing on my speed.”
Ng also tried badminton and, for a few years, dabbled in ballet. But she felt her limbs weren’t strong enough for the former and didn’t have time for the latter when she had to juggle her studies and swimming training, especially after her life took a major turn in 2018. The principal at Sham Tseng Catholic Primary School signed her up for Hong Kong Paralympic Day, a local event organised by the Sports Association for the Physically Disabled of Hong Kong, China. Ng met her current coach Kong Chun Yin, who recruited her to the Hong Kong team a year later.
Above Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan wears her own swimming cap (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan wears her own swimming cap (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
1 / 1
Since then, Ng has been training three hours a day, six days a week, even during school holidays. And while that may sound like a lot on top of her regular teen life—“Sometimes it means I can’t finish my homework on time, so I have to ask my teachers for an extension,” she says—Ng is relishing every moment. Talking about the support she received for her appearance at the Paris Games, she says, “I was so happy. I never thought there would be so many supporters. I told myself not to be too stressed by the competition or result, and just do my best.”
Her record-breaking best proved that her attitude was exactly what was needed. “I achieved my goal and I’m so happy to show what I could do to others despite my condition,” she says.
Read more: From mixing in gymnastics to adapting to the pandemic, how Hong Kong rope skipper became a champion
Above Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan wears a Southcape outfit (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan wears a Southcape outfit (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
1 / 1
And this is only the start of her journey as a competitive swimmer. Since returning from a well-deserved break exploring the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe with her head coach—it was her first time in Paris—she’s been back in Hong Kong training for the World Championship in September 2025 and the National Games of the People’s Republic of China in November 2025. “This time, I’ll focus on improving my techniques of diving into the water,” she says, her eyes glinting with the promise of her bright future.
Credits
Creative DirectionZoe Yau
Photography Issac Lam
Fashion Direction Cherry Mui
Photography Issac Lam
Creative DirectionZoe Yau
HairKit Li
Make-UpJovy Chai
Set DesignIp Siu
Photographer’s AssistantHsiao, Jason Li and Riki Chan
Stylist’s AssistantAlix Lefebvre
Set Design (assistant) Naomi Chiu
NOW READ
Why actor Park Seo Jun doesn’t give in to peer pressure-led ‘healthy lifestyle’
Gary Wan on the Cigna Healthcare Hyrox Open Asian Championship coming to Hong Kong and how its impact goes beyond just fitness
Rafael Nadal retires: What the tennis legend says about mental resilience and sacrifice
Topics
Paralympics Swimmer Jasmine Ng Cheuk Yan Sport Medal
