Campus Digest

Ng Kiu-chung goes down in history with new elements of Still Rings named after him

11 Mar 2015

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Ng Kiu-chung has two new elements named after him by International Gymnastics Body FIG
Illustrations of new elements from fig-gymnastics.com: NG Kiu Chung (HKG) (above) and NG Kiu Chung 2 (HKG) (below)

Hong Kong gymnastics representative Ng Kiu-chung (Physical Education and Recreation Management, Year 3) who is hailed as the “Prince of Still Rings” not only captured several medals at international competitions but has also successfully developed two new elements for Still Rings. The FIG Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee recently announced that the two new elements submitted by Kiu-chung have been accepted for evaluation at the 45th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Nanning, China, and have been awarded the names NG Kiu Chung (HKG) and NG Kiu Ching 2 (HKG) respectively.


Kiu-chung felt happy that the new elements he developed for Still Rings were named after him as his name would go down in the history of gymnastics. Kiu-chung, who started to learn gymnastics at the age of four, has always had the vision of developing his own elements apart from winning medals. When there was no competition, he practised and tried to develop new elements. He then consulted his coach and the Hong Kong referee to see if the elements he developed stood a chance of being included in the Code of Points before practising them for competitions.
 
Kiu-chung said: “I spent a year to develop and practise “NG Kiu Chung (HKG)” - from or through hanging scale rearways, with straight arms pull to V Cross (2 sec.), also Nakayama to V Cross (2 secs.). With the value count from A (the lowest) to F (the highest), this new element was given an E value (Element Group IV). It requires both balance control and strength of the abdomen muscles to complete.”

“I accidentally discovered NG Kiu Chung 2 (HKG) - slow roll forward stretched with straight arms through Cross and press to Planche without first going to support (2 sec.). This element was given a D value (Element Group IV). It requires the strength of both the front and the back muscles to complete. I practised for three to four months before performing at a competition.”

In March 2014, Kiu-chung performed “NG Kiu Chung (HKG)” at the World Challenge Cup Doha. At the Asian Games Incheon held in September 2014 he performed “NG Kiu Chung 2 (HKG)”. After successfully performing the two new elements at the 45th Artistic Gymnastic World Championships in Nanning last October, the elements were named after him.

Meanwhile, Kiu-chung is waiting for approval from the Committee to compete in the Universiade Gwangju 2015 in Korea this July and is preparing for the World Championships in October.