Team triumph: Hong Kong's team scored a gold, silver and bronze medal and an honourable mention in its debut at the 35th International Physics Olympiad in South Korea.

Hong Kong has scored a gold, silver and bronze medal and an honourable mention in its debut at the 35th International Physics Olympiad in South Korea. The gold medallist has also won the President's Award for best performance from countries newly participating.

More than 70 teams from various countries and regions participated from July 16 to 22. The competition aimed to promote physics education and foster international friendships.

Welcoming home the triumphant team, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Gifted Education) of the Education & Manpower Bureau Chan Pui-tin said the squad was selected from the beneficiaries of the bureau's Support Measures for the Exceptionally Gifted Students Scheme.

Introduced in 2001, the scheme provides structured enhancement programmes in science, mathematics and leadership, and interpersonal skills to help develop gifted students' potential.

Last year, the bureau jointly organised the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad 2003 with the University of Science & Technology. Outstanding participants were selected to join the series of physics enhancement programmes conducted by the university.

After a year of training, five Secondary Six students were selected to represent Hong Kong in the 35th International Physics Olympiad.

The medallists

Gold

Sum Sung-fung from Kwun Tong Maryknoll College

(also awarded the President's Award)

Silver

Ho Kin-fai from St Mark's School

Bronze

Cheung Shi from Sing Yin Secondary School

Honourable Mention