Hong Kong table tennis player Pedrey Ng Wing-lam has credited her journey to success not only to her athletic talent and academic excellence but also to learning how to manage setbacks and control her emotions. At 22, Ng is preparing for her Asian Games debut after balancing a demanding sporting career with pursuing a degree in quantitative finance at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Ng, who achieved a perfect score of 45 in the International Baccalaureate (IB) examination, chose to remain in Hong Kong for her university studies to optimize her training opportunities rather than studying abroad. A multi-sport youth athlete, she narrowed her focus to table tennis following her selection to a specialized squad at age 10 and subsequently joined Hong Kong’s youth table tennis team at 11.
Despite early success, Ng struggled with intense competitiveness and difficulty accepting anything less than first place. Her emotional responses occasionally undermined her performance, as she recounted losing her temper during a key match at the Asian Junior and Cadet Championship, which led to a team loss and prompted intervention from coaches and sports psychologists at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Through techniques such as self-talk and journaling, Ng worked on emotional regulation and mental preparedness, which she identified as critical to her growth as a player.
Ng highlighted that accepting imperfection in both sport and life contributed to her improved mindset and enjoyment of competition. Transitioning to a full-time athlete after extending her degree over eight years, she initially faced tougher challenges against stronger opponents but gradually developed resilience and optimism. She emphasized that mental strength is essential for performing under high-pressure conditions, noting her experience as a reserve at the 2024 Paris Olympics as motivating her to train harder.
Currently ranked world No. 80 in singles, Ng and her doubles partner Doo Hoi-kem are ranked third globally after finishing runners-up at a recent World Table Tennis Europe event. Training with coach Zhang Rui since 2023 has had a significant impact on her professional and personal development, particularly in embracing failure as part of growth.
Ng, who was a sparring partner at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, now competes as one of Hong Kong’s leading players. As she approaches her debut as a competitor in this year’s Games, she expressed a desire to focus on the experience rather than outcomes, describing her progression as a meaningful milestone in her career.