Whether on or off the boccia court, Yuenkei Ho radiates resilience and determination. Born with congenital spinal muscular atrophy, she has overcome countless challenges to become a Paralympic boccia champion. From a childhood overshadowed by frequent hospitalization to clinching two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Yuenkei's journey proves that adversity can be a catalyst for greatness. "I hope my story can inspire others to explore different paths, discover their goals, and have the courage to chase their dreams," she says.

A Challenging Childhood

Yuenkei's early years were overshadowed by spinal muscular atrophy, a condition that left her limbs weak and required constant family support. "When I first learned I had this rare condition, I couldn't help but wonder why I was chosen out of so many people. Watching other children run and play freely while I could barely move made me feel useless and worthless," she recalled. Frequent hospitalizations for pneumonia, sometimes lasting over a month, were compounded by a critical stay in intensive care. "There were times when I felt like giving up. I once told my family, 'I'm so tired—maybe the doctors should just stop treating me,'" she shared. Her family's unwavering love became her lifeline, fuelling her strength to persevere.

Discovering Boccia

Yuenkei's life took a turn during a secondary school physical education class when she was introduced to boccia, a sport that would redefine her purpose. "At first, I found boccia a bit boring. A match can last over an hour. But gradually, I fell in love with it—it's similar to chess, requiring strategy and planning," she explained. Encouraged by her PE teacher, Yuenkei entered a competition organized by the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Disabled, where she won an award. Her performance led to an invitation to join the Hong Kong junior team. "I joined just to try it," she said. "I never thought I'd become a professional athlete or compete in the Paralympics and win world championships." The serendipitous endeavor soon became a life-changing passion.

A Star is Born

In 2009, at just 16, Yuenkei represented Hong Kong at the Asian Youth Para Games in Tokyo, winning gold in both the individual and pairs boccia events. Recalling her excitement at putting on the Hong Kong team uniform for the first time, she shares: "Going into the competition, I didn't expect much—I just wanted to gain experience. Winning two golds was beyond my wildest dreams and gave me a huge boost of confidence for future international competitions." Boccia did more than bring her accolades; it transformed her outlook. "I used to be very shy…boccia made me more open-minded and willing to try new things," she reflected. "My confidence grew significantly, and I became determined to use my story to inspire others."

Career Setbacks

Just as Yuenkei's career seemed to soar, she faced a significant setback in 2011 when her worsening condition necessitated a switch from BC4 (hand-thrown boccia) to BC3, which uses a ramp and an assistant who cannot watch the game. "At first, I struggled emotionally. I wasn't sure if I could adapt to this new format, and I even considered quitting altogether," she admits. After thinking it through, she decided to keep chasing her dreams of someday competing and standing on the podium at the Paralympics. Jet Lee, a PE teacher at the time, became her part-time ramp assistant and coach, forging a strong partnership. Their collaboration led to a bronze in the individual event and a gold in the pairs at the 2018 Asian Para Games, followed by two golds in the BC3 category at the 2019 Asian Championships.

The Power of Public Support

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics marked a particularly painful moment. "I was ranked second in the world at the time and considered a strong medal contender. I really believed I could win," she shares. Unfortunately, she was eliminated in the group stage—a disappointing moment that left her riddled with self-doubt. The encouragement from Hong Kong's public lifted her spirits. "Many people sent encouraging messages via social media. One wrote, 'I support you not because of your medals, but simply because you're representing Hong Kong. Whatever your result, I'll always be cheering for you!'" she recalls.

The touching message gave her the push she needed. Yuenkei and her partner achieved a historic fourth place in the BC3 pairs event, marking Hong Kong's first semi-final appearance in this category at the Paralympics. "Afterwards, we reviewed our performance carefully, aiming to improve both technically and mentally before the Paris Paralympics," she said. Jet's commitment deepened after leaving his job to become her full-time assistant and coach, a partnership that blossomed into a lifelong bond when the pair married in 2024.

Paris 2024: A Dream Realized

2024 was a landmark year for Yuenkei. After marrying Jet, she went on to achieve her lifelong goal at the Paris Paralympics, winning two gold medals in the BC3 individual and pairs events: "We aimed for a medal, but never expected to win gold—let alone two!" Standing on the highest step of the podium marked a powerful moment. "It affirmed my hard work and showed me how far I've come," she said. Her success was celebrated further when she earned the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards for Women and, with her partner Tse Tak-wah, the Hong Kong Sports Stars Award for Team Only Sport.

"I will continue to use my strength to inspire other women to pursue their dreams, discover their interests, and contribute to society."

Advocating for Inclusion

Yuenkei's impact extends beyond sport. In 2024, she and Jet founded Love Inclusion Charity Association Limited, guided by the mission "Love No Boundaries, Inclusion We Create." "My mother always taught me to give back to society, and I've kept that close to my heart," she says. Recognizing the limitations of individual effort, Yuenkei and Jet established the charity after returning from Paris. "Our goal is to bring people together through sports and arts, helping those in need connect with others, build friendships, and grow together, ultimately fostering a more inclusive society," she explains. Through this initiative, the association aims to create opportunities for marginalized communities, reflecting Yuenkei's commitment to equality.

Looking Ahead

Yuenkei is now preparing for the 12th National Paralympic Games in Hong Kong in December 2025, with boccia events at Kai Tak Sports Park. She encourages the public to attend and support local athletes. Her accolades, including the 2023 Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons and the 2025 JESSICA Most Successful Women Award recipient, highlight her influence. "Thank you for recognizing me. I'm especially grateful to my family, coaches, and all my friends who have supported me throughout the years. Their support gave me the courage to pursue my dreams and empowered me to encourage others through my experiences," she shares. Yuenkei's story is a powerful reminder that with determination and support, even life's toughest challenges can turn into opportunities for growth and inspiration.