We all have dreams, yet dreams coming true are no guarantees for everyone. Sherry Tsai, one of the top Hong Kong swimmers, is among the lucky fellows. Not only did she accomplish her dreams, she did it twice. Her next big target is the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, aiming to place a full-stop to her undoubtedly brilliant athletic career.
Sherry Tsai, who broke into the Hong Kong swimming team at the age of twelve, always hopes to compete against, and train alongside with the very best swimmers from all over the world. As she grew up, she aimed at securing a degree at one of the best universities. Thanks to her continuous effort both in and out of the swimming pool, Sherry accomplished her two dreams by enrolling herself at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Business Management.
“Swimming brought me a lot, especially those days studying in America, training with world class swimmers like Aaron Peirsol and Nataite Coughlin benefits me to the largest possible extent, I am not only talking about the technical aspects, but also their enthusiasm towards swimming, and their way of getting along with people,” said the 23-years-old swimmer.
Sherry, holder of 14 Hong Kong records, has never been seconded to anyone else since she joined the Hong Kong team. Not only is she the best swimmer during her secondary school days, she is the local aqua princess. Now studying in US and facing enormous academic pressure, yet there is no sign of fade away in Sherry Tsai’s skills, on the contrary, she once broke three event records in a row, at the California Community college swimming gala, and she was granted two “Performance of the Year”, and “Best swimmer” awards for her achievements.
To add on her brilliant profile, Sherry was named captain of Berkeley’s swimming team this year, “it is no doubt an honor to be awarded captaincy, it pushes me through and I have to be mature on merely all aspects,” said the aqua princess.
Talking about the year-end Asian Games at Doha, Sherry came to a dilemma. “Representing Hong Kong is always my top priority, although the Asian Games’ schedule collided with an important university event, yet the Asian Games is the most important event this year and I opted to play for Hong Kong, despite the fact that it is my last year at Berkeley, and I am the team captain on top of that.”
A three-time Asian Games participant, Sherry does not differentiate herself from her competitors, and she sets her sights on taking medals back home, “Every athlete aims for the gold, I will try my very best for satisfactory results, and we shall see how things go.”
Flashing-back at her fruitful swimming career, it has been more than a decade since Sherry devoted herself to the sport, with swimming pool being her closest companion over the past decade, and by attending aquatic meets including the Olympic Games, Asian Games, East Asian Games, and the Universiade, Sherry is proud enough to proclaim that she has no regret over her swimming career at all. Among all her appearances in those Games, Sherry’s being the flag-bearer for the Hong Kong Delegation during the 2004 Athens Olympics as the most unforgettable.
“Indeed there are many memorable moments, the proudest one is when I was appointed the flag-bearer of the Hong Kong delegates at Athens Olympics, I shall never forget that. As for Beijing Olympic Games in two years’ time, I am certainly looking forward to it, because the Games is going to be held in our own country, I long for more memories, as Beijing is likely to be the final major event for me,” said Sherry.
Any given the cruel fact that athletes will have their final calls someday, Sherry’s enthusiasm towards swimming will never cease, bearing her own motto, “It is not weather you win or lose, it is how you play the game” in mind.
Name: Sherry Tsai
Date of Birth:4-9-1983
Achievement:
1998 World Youth Games Silver Medal
2000 World Cup(Hong Kong) 2nd runner up with 100m backstroke
2001 East Asian Games 4x100 individual medley relay Bronze Medal
2005 World University Games: Gold Medals in B final of both 100 and 50 back, breaking two Hong Kong records
2006 Pan Pacific Championships: sixth in 100-meter back consolation final (1:03.12)
Personal Honour:
Holds 14 Hong Kong records
• Most Improved Award in 96-97 by Hong Kong Swimming Coaches Association
• Best Swimmer Award in 98-01 by Hong Kong Swimming Coaches Association
• Hong Kong Junior Sports Stars Award 98-01
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