One rope, endless dreams: Hong Kong’s leap to world success
Professor Ha says rope skipping is an ideal Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) for people of all ages. The Hong Kong Government recommends that all children and adolescents should engage in at least 60 minutes of MVPA every day. Standing next to her is BEd(PE) student Sophie Poon Yin-ting, an elite rope skipping athlete representing Hong Kong.
While Hong Kong is celebrated for its success in fencing, cycling, table tennis, and badminton, its outstanding achievements in rope skipping shine just as brightly. Hong Kong’s rope skipping athletes have set world records and won numerous international titles, demonstrating exceptional dedication and talent. Their inspiring accomplishments deserve wider recognition and celebration, showcasing the city’s vibrant sporting culture. It’s time for both the city and the world to discover and celebrate their extraordinary journey.
Many people may not realise that local rope skipping athletes are excelling on the international stage. The latest example of their success came at the 2025 World Jump Rope Championships Finals, organised by the International Jump Rope Union (IJRU) in Kawasaki, Japan, from 27 July to 3 August. At this world-class tournament, which saw a record participation of over 2,600 athletes from 34 countries and regions, the Hong Kong, China Rope Skipping Team secured an impressive total of 24 medals, including 7 gold, 5 silver, and 12 bronze. The delegation also broke three world records at the event.
Sophie, centre in the front row, and her teammates pose with the Japan and Australia teams after Hong Kong wins the gold medal for Senior-Mixed Team All-round event in Kawasaki. Hong Kong team wins a total of 24 medals, including 7 gold, 5 silver, and 12 bronze, in the competition.
“The results are excellent and rewarding,” said Professor Amy Ha Sau-ching, the new Head of the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE). While the athletes’ efforts are undeniable, coaches, sponsors, and organisers have all contributed to the thriving development of rope skipping in Hong Kong. Professor Ha, who founded the Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association, China (HKRSA) in 1997, is one of the key figures behind this success.
A former basketball player, Professor Ha explained that she first discovered the benefits of rope skipping during her postgraduate studies at Springfield College in the US, where she observed athletes, including basketball and volleyball players, using rope skipping as a warm-up exercise to enhance foot agility. “In 1995, when I taught at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, our department was approached by the former Regional Council to organise a rope skipping performance team for the ‘95 World Health Day’. That performance received significant acclaim, laying the foundation for the establishment of HKRSA,” Professor Ha recalled.
A group photo of the Hong Kong, China Rope Skipping Team taken at the opening ceremony of the “Hong Kong Rope Skipping Invitational Championship 2025: Asia-Pacific Elite Competition”. The competition, held in July 2025, celebrates the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR and HKRSA. Professor Ha is third from the left in the back row, Mr Shaun Hamilton, President of International Jump Rope Union (IJRU) is fourth from the right in the back row. (Photo source: HKRSA)
HKRSA is the sole official representative in Hong Kong for both the International Jump Rope Union (IJRU) and the Asian Jump Rope Union (AJRU). Since 2023, AJRU has been a member of the Olympic Council of Asia, enhancing the sport’s regional influence. Rope skipping also made an exciting debut as a demonstration and performance event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking a historic milestone and highlighting the sport’s rapidly growing global recognition and bright future. Under Professor Ha’s leadership, the Association has organised numerous local, regional, and international competitions over the past three decades, promoting the sport while nurturing athletes, coaches, and judges. Since its founding, the sport has experienced rapid growth, in both participation and international results.
In the education sector, the Quality Education Fund (1995–2005) supported the development of the programme “跳繩樂、齊齊學”, which promoted daily rope skipping in local schools. More recently, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (2019–2027) has championed rope skipping initiatives across both primary and secondary schools. These ongoing efforts have built a solid foundation for the development of elite athletes, inspiring new generations of skippers in Hong Kong.
As President of the Association since 1997, Professor Ha has closely followed the sport’s development. “Hong Kong has many talented rope skipping athletes who shine internationally. Hong Kong people should be proud of them,” she said. She also pointed out that the sport is particularly suited to a small city like Hong Kong. “You can skip even in a small playground. Rope skipping offers many variations, incorporating different footwork, arm movements, and speeds. With just a rope, one can explore endless possibilities. It’s especially spectacular when performed with music,” she added.
Professor Ha explains that jumping is a weight-bearing activity that stimulates bones to produce more bone tissue, thereby increasing bone density and strength.
Professor Ha, specialising in sports pedagogy and physical literacy, emphasised the comprehensive benefits of rope skipping. “It is a full-body exercise that engages multiple muscle groups. Beyond burning calories and aiding weight reduction, rope skipping enhances motor agility, rhythm, and perseverance. As we jump, our body must move in sync with the rope, training coordination between the legs, arms, torso, and eyes. It also strengthens bones and serves as an excellent cardio workout, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke,” she explained.
HPE not only has a leading figure behind Hong Kong’s rope skipping success but also boasts a talented athlete. Sophie Poon Yin-ting, a student in the Bachelor of Education (Honours)(Physical Education) (BEd(PE)) programme, achieved personal bests at the 2025 World Jump Rope Championships Finals in Kawasaki. “I was overjoyed to win the championship in the Senior-Mixed Team All-round event and to secure a second runner-up position in the individual three-minute endurance event,” she said.
Sophie suffered from low self-esteem when she was a child. “Rope skipping has helped me to gradually regain my self-belief,” she cheerfully says.
Through rope skipping, I gradually rebuilt my confidence. It gives me a great sense of achievement whenever I master a new skill and trick.
The HPE student has been skipping since primary school. As her skills improved, she earned the opportunity to represent Hong Kong on the international stage in 2016. Since then, Sophie has been a member of the Hong Kong team. “My self-esteem was low when I was a child. Through rope skipping, I gradually rebuilt my confidence. It gives me a great sense of achievement whenever I master a new skill and trick,” Sophie shared. “Rope skipping reminds me of my childhood struggle and joy. Whether playing the sport individually or as part of a team, it always excites me," the athlete added.
Competitions feature two categories: individual and team, each further divided into speed and freestyle events. Sophie has focused recently on the single-rope three-minute endurance individual event, and the single-rope speed relay and single-rope freestyle team events. To enhance her strength and prevent injuries, Sophie incorporates strength and conditioning (S&C) training into her routine. “S&C training teaches me how to use my muscles effectively for rope skipping, which helps reduce the risk of falls and injuries. Cross-country running since secondary school has also boosted my endurance,” she explained.
Sophie, second from right, and her teammates for the team event—Senior-Mixed All-round—greet the spectators before their performance at the 2025 World Jump Rope Championships Finals in Kawasaki.
Sophie competes in the individual single rope three-minute endurance event in Kawasaki, where she finishes as the second runner-up.
More than just a game of physical strength, rope skipping demands not only physical fitness but also strong teamwork, especially in presentation events. “In performance events with multiple players, success depends on synchronization and smooth transitions between movements. It requires excellent cooperation, communication, and trust among teammates,” Sophie explained. In addition to boosting fitness, the sport fosters a strong sense of community. “Many of my teammates have become close friends because we share the same passion for rope skipping,” she added. To share that passion, Sophie founded the EdUHK Rope Skipping Club in 2024, which now has more than 20 members.
Professor Ha commended Sophie’s initiative. “She hasn’t confined herself to personal success, she’s committed to sharing the joy of rope skipping. Over the past three decades, the city has built a rich foundation of knowledge in this sport, and its popularity has grown across all levels in Hong Kong. Parents even join in with their children. I’m also grateful for the support of organisations such as the Hong Kong College of Cardiology, who have worked with us to promote the sport,” she stated. Professor Ha added that HKRSA, together with IJRU, AJRU and other associations, continues working to have skipping recognised as an individual event in major international games like the Olympics and Asian Games. “There is still lots of work to do before achieving it,” she said.
Sophie has met Professor Ha several times at celebratory events related to rope skipping but had no chance to speak with her. During the FLASS FORWARD interview, Sophie expresses her admiration for the professor’s tireless effort in promoting rope skipping in Hong Kong.
HKRSA issues a post to celebrate Professor Ha being appointed as Emeritus Professor, Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, CUHK, and Chair Professor of Physical Education and Sports Science, and Head of the Department of Health and Physical Education. (Photo source: HKRSA)
Rope skipping is an affordable sport that brings countless physical and mental benefits. With just a rope, you can unlock endless possibilities.
Sophie’s achievements demonstrate that Hong Kong’s rope skipping athletes can compete with the world’s best. Although the sport is becoming more popular and successful internationally, maintaining progress at the highest level requires overcoming many challenges. Continued development depends on technical advancement, professional coaching, and strong organisational support, all of which demand financial backing and collaboration across sectors.
Professor Ha highlighted Hong Kong’s pioneering role in developing systematic rope skipping training and promotion. “We began earlier than many other regions in Asia. Representatives from Chinese Mainland, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia have all come to learn our methods,” she noted. “Rope skipping is an affordable sport that brings countless physical and mental benefits. With just a rope, you can unlock endless possibilities. Now is the time to pick up a rope and discover the joy and potential within yourself,” she said.
