Interview with Hong Kong Women’s Star Victorie Nina Ngo Ka Yu

1- Can you give us a bit of a background of your Dodgeball playing career, and how you ended up representing your country?

I have been playing dodgeball for 3-4 years, starting from playing the single-ball dodgeball game. In Hong Kong, Dodgeball is not as well-known and popular as basketball. I was shocked when I realized there are international dodgeball competitions in the world, and I fell in love with this sport soon after. Last year, the Hong Kong Dodgeball Association started to promote multiple-ball dodgeball. I followed my friends and joined the selection for the Asia Pacific Championship 2017. Luckily I was chosen and started my multiple-ball dodgeball career.

2- Any highlights from your international career? Best games etc?

I played at the Asia Pacific Championship 2017, representing the Hong Kong mixed team. It is hard to say which game was the best, but the most unforgettable would be the game against Singapore in the APC2017, both teams fought so hard for the qualification of the world cup 2018 mixed category. Right after the final whistle, both Hong Kong women’s and mixed team hugged and cried together as we all won the qualification. This was the warmest, moving and unforgettable moment.

3- Hong Kong have qualified for the World Cup for the first time. How does it feel? Is there any nerves or pressure?

I am really excited. I look forward to have more competitions with different countries. I am sure that this competition would help us understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to make improvements and be a stronger team.

I am also a little bit stressed. This is a high-level competition and sometimes I worry that I cannot perform well since I do not have much competition experience. But this feeling pushes me to equip myself better, and I will put 100% effort in every coming game!

4- In Hong Kong and some of our other member nations the Single-Ball Dodgeball game is immensely popular. How do the skills developed playing this style of dodgeball translate over to the Multi-Ball game? Do you think this experience will advantage Hong Kong players at the World Cup?

All trainings in the single-ball dodgeball helps a lot in playing the multi-ball game. Players move a lot in the defensive position to stay as far as they can from the attack side in the single-ball game. Therefore, training for single-ball players involves lots of footwork and physical coordination training. Footwork and physical coordination is also important for multi-ball players as dodging, throwing and catching requires fast reactions with good body coordination. So Hong Kong players tend to be more agile.

5- What’s your workout routine and training like in preparation for the 2018 Dodgeball World Cup? Any tips you can lend to aspiring dodgeball players?

The dodgeball game is fast-paced. Even a 3-minute game could make you pant and sweat, so athletes need to have good physical fitness. Apart from dodgeball training, workouts cannot be skipped. I keep doing workout for around 30 minutes everyday. It seems so hard to persist in the beginning, but I trust that what seems impossible today will one day become my warm-up, it is all just about your determination.

6- How does it feeling knowing that in under two months you’ll be playing in one of the most famous stadiums in the world, Madison Square Garden?

I am sure that all players are excited as I am! It is my honor to have dodgeball competitions at such a famous and professional basketball court. Before this world cup, I could only watch basketball competitions held at the MSG on youtube. But now I can really play there! This would be one of the most memorable things in this journey!

7- One of the core beliefs of the Asian Dodgeball Federation is our #StrongerTogether campaign. So we’d love for you to share your thoughts on who you believe some of the best players in Asia-Pacific are. Who should we be looking out for?

I believe Wong Yat Tung from the Hong Kong Mixed team is one of the best players in Asia-Pacific. His performances in the Asia Pacific Championship last year shows that he is a complete player with powerful and accurate throws and confident catches. Also, Ho Tsz Ching from the Hong Kong Women’s team. She has great catching skills, which men’s attacks do no harm to her.

8- Any predictions for Hong Kong at the World Cup? Can Hong Kong win all the categories you qualified for?

It’s hard to predict the competition result, but we do have our goal: get within top three in the mixed category and women’s category. Not only the result is important, but also the process. I will enjoy all the competitions and play my best.

9- How do you think the other Asia-Pacific nations will go at the World Cup? Any nation you’d like to single out for being a favourite for success on this stage?

It is awesome to see Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore at the World Cup 2018. Malaysia team played really well in all categories in the Asia Pacific Championship 2017. Their players are good in both physical fitness and dodgeball skills including dodging, catching and attacking. Also they always look so calm and confident on the court no matter how much they score. I am sure that with their professional training, they can play well in the coming competition.

Lastly some fun questions!

10- Where is the best place to eat in Hong Kong? And what’s your favourite national dish?

The best place to eat in Hong Kong should be MongKok. You can find different kinds of food there, including local cuisine, cheap but delicious street foods, café etc. My favourite national dish is Beijing roast duck. It is easy to find in Chinese restaurants.

11- Which country in Asia-Pacific has the best food? Which dish is the best?

Hong Kong for sure! I highly recommend dim sum , especially steamed shrimp dumpling.