Hong Kong Kendama Queen Ching Yan Overcomes Doubters to Become World Champion
SingTao · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Shen Jingyin (Ching Yan), a 21-year-old Hong Kong athlete, has transformed kendama from a ridiculed pastime into an internationally recognized sport. When her family dismissed it as a waste of time in 2019, the then-14-year-old worked part-time jobs to fund her own trip to the Taiwan Kendama Open . Years of relentless practice, including perfecting a single move for three years, have earned her the women's world championship title and a current world ranking of 13th .
Key Points
- Shen Jingyin began playing kendama in Primary 6 after a classmate brought one to class, and quit clarinet and swimming to pursue it seriously
- At age 14, she self-funded her first international competition by working part-time jobs, earning both registration fees and airfare independently
- She practiced 5-8 hours daily and spent 3 years perfecting a single move that increased from 8 to 16 consecutive hits
- She won the 2024 Japan Hiroshima World Cup women's category, plus multiple titles including 2021 NAKO double champion and 2025 China Open mixed champion
- Her former critics, including teachers who compared kendama to "playing fish balls on Cheung Chau," have witnessed her world championship success
Why It Matters
Ching Yan's journey challenges Hong Kong's often rigid academic-first culture by proving that perseverance in non-traditional sports can lead to global recognition. As the host of the Hong Kong Kendama Open for five consecutive years and a school kendama instructor, she is actively building infrastructure for niche sports in the city. Her story offers a powerful template for young athletes: ignore the doubters, put in the work, and let results speak louder than skepticism.
Ching Yan's journey challenges Hong Kong's often rigid academic-first culture by proving that perseverance in non-traditional sports can lead to global recognition. As the host of the Hong Kong Kendama Open for five consecutive years and a school kendama instructor, she is actively building infrastructure for niche sports in the city. Her story offers a powerful template for young athletes: ignore the doubters, put in the work, and let results speak louder than skepticism.