Janet Kung Tsz-shan, a 2019 HKMU graduate in Bachelor of Nursing with Honours in General Health Care, now sits at number 6 in Women's Speed of Ice Climbing World Ranking, peaking at number 4. No one would have thought that this three-time Hong Kong “Queen of the Buns” would sigh that she was currently at a low point in her sports career. Sparking up a smile, she chanted the goal to chase down the dream of conquering all summits across 7 continents.
The silhouette of striving upward shed light on Janet's way of life. She has devoted both time and resources to promoting ice climbing, forming a team, and planning to climb the world's highest summits. Winning Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2024, she delivered her belief through actions: “Fight for your dreams while you can!”
Without ice or snow in Hong Kong, Janet could only receive simulated training in small-scale venues. For over 4 years, she competed in international tournaments solo, without any coaches or medics. She affirmed, “Every competition is my best practice!” All she could do was improve through the games and watch and learn from athletes worldwide. “Practice is the only way in Hong Kong to make perfect, but you could learn from the world championships, which is the most effective.”
The hectic university curriculum and the COVID-19 pandemic once halted her from the competitions for 8 long years, but that did not stop her from practising constantly. Stunning results could only be achieved through competing again. As a soloist, she knew the importance of a team so well that she kept thinking of promoting ice climbing. When identifying training venues, she got along with a pal and later guided him into a male ice climbing athlete. A year ago, she further pushed the promotions and recruited enthusiastic ice climbers to form a team of 6 males and 6 females. She even self-financed ice climbing walls and activities for public experience.
New members had hopped on board for the domestic competitions in the Mainland and Korea to gain experience. “Back when I was alone, I could not seek help from anybody. Now I have become the bridge of the new generation and introduced athletes around the globe.” Despite their fair performance, she was proud that they were no quitters. “They were willing to pay for pricy gear, in which the readiness for regular training was admirable.”
Not receiving a penny of financial support as a full-time athlete, Janet never complained. She could help herself with a slasher background with multiple coaching expertise, and a part-time nursing career. The busy management of the walls and team took up a big chunk of time, and it inevitably affected the training. She paused and said, “I am at a low point in my sports career. I'm thinking of stepping down and doing what I want,” – that is to climb atop the apex across 7 continents, and to conquer 14 mountains higher than 8,000 meters.
Longing for world summits since childhood and now gearing up with experiences, Janet was more determined to climb the highest mountain. “I would put more time and effort into this. I want to do it.” Ice climbing and mountain climbing differ in every way. She pinpointed that ice climbing was a challenge set up by people themselves to overcome, while mountain climbing was a challenge of nature. “Mountain climbing has more to do with life, which is more spiritual. Competitions might be moments, but for the experience on Mount Everest, it'll be deep-rooted in your heart forever.” While this depended heavily on body and weather, she insisted on indulging in the mother nature. “I'll anchor step by step up to the top. Even if it's telling you to give up, I'll never be a giving-up person. One more step and I get closer to the apex. I would definitely pay off my past experience of over 17 million kilometres to this!”
Janet had once climbed to Aconcagua, the summit of South America, without the aid of oxygen equipment. Her original goal last September to conquer Manaslu, Nepal, her first mountain of over 8,000 meters, was put on hold due to hectic schedules. That did not waver her ambition in achieving highs at all though, including Mount Everest and Lhotse. It was expected to take 5-6 years to complete her great plan of overcoming 18 mountains.
The journey of countless mountain explorations did not stop here. Janet was planning to study the Extreme Medicine course. “Medical issues happen uphill. At the same time, I am a nurse, and I love climbing mountains. How can I merge these things together?” The answer is Extreme Medicine. It could even be used in deserts, jungles, and battlefields for humanitarian rescue.
Elected as a Top Outstanding Young Persons awardee in 2024, Janet humbled that she was neither a celebrity nor an Olympic champion. She was once confused why she deserved to be nominated when she was just doing the things she loved. What the nominators loved was her inspirations. “I'm elated to be elected! I guess being willing to hustle to your dreams is a kind of 'Outstanding'.” Over the years of sharing sessions, she kept encouraging people to self-explore to better know themselves. She pointed out, “Success is not proven by a reward or certificate; rather, it is when you take the first step, like joining an event, or even raising your hand for questions.”
She joked about her seniority in the game as a “big sis” and understood the growing differences between generations. “The environment might vary, but one saying never changes. If you want to do it, just do it. Only if you do it will you know the results. If you don't, you will definitely fail it.”
