Fall down, get up, recovering, keep going: what three sporting legends taught EdUHK about resilience

When Corné Krige, retired South African Rugby Team captain, Anthony Watson, former professional England Rugby Union player, and Li Xiaopeng, the iconic Chinese gymnast, appeared at a sharing session held on 14 April 2026 at EdUHK, the audience immediately recalled their powerful, flawless performances and inspiring moments from their athletic careers. Even more compelling, however, was hearing the three share not only the glories of their careers, but also the hardships and struggles that shaped their lives in sport.

The three former athletic superstars were invited by the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE) to visit EdUHK and speak about how sport had built their resilience, mental well-being, and core values. Following retirement, all three, in different capacities, joined Laureus, the global organisation that harnesses the power of sport to inspire people, foster hope, and drive social change. Former rugby players Corné and Anthony were appointed as “Laureus Sport for Good” ambassadors, while Xiaopeng is now a member of the “Laureus World Sports Academy”. The session, which attracted around 100 faculty members and students from HPE, was moderated by Enya Lee Hiu-yau, a BSc(SPSC) student and member of EdUHK Honours College.

While the public tends to remember only the glorious moments these athletes produced on the field, seminar attendees were given a rare glimpse into how elite competitors experience injury and defeat. Li Xiaopeng, holder of sixteen world titles including four Olympic gold medals, said that behind every triumphant moment on the podium lie thousands of failures. “I have faced countless setbacks. When you fail, opponents will discourage you and tell you that you aren’t good enough. Over the years, I have learnt never to doubt my abilities, to maintain self-confidence, and to persevere until the end,” he shared. He encouraged the audience to embrace failure as a friend, stripping it of its power to make us shy away from challenges.

When asked which aspects young athletes should prioritise, Anthony Watson highlighted that managing the pressure of expectations is the greatest challenge of competing at a high level. “The mental side of sport is huge and underestimated. I used to be incredibly nervous before games: not wanting to play and throwing up all sorts. It was only after I developed appropriate coping skills — like meditation and speaking with friends and family — that I was able to enjoy playing professional rugby and perform,” he shared.

As most of the HPE students attending, whether from the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Physical Education) (BEd(PE)) or the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sports Science and Coaching (BSc(SPSC)) programmes, aspire to become PE teachers and sports coaches, they were eager for advice on how to teach children to engage with sport and lead adults to exercise. In response, Corné Krige drew on his experience motivating people as captain of the South African Rugby Team.

The former captain emphasised that great coaching begins with understanding each child’s individual needs. “Since every student comes from a different background, they have different psychology. Teachers and coaches may never know what’s happening in a child’s life. For that reason, we must show empathy and meet children where they are,” Corné said. He also noted that there is no single coaching or leadership style that works for everyone: a quieter child may need gentle communication, while a tougher child may respond better to firm, direct guidance.

Among the audience was Professor Amy Ha Sau-ching, Head of HPE. She invited the guest speakers to share their thoughts on encouraging parents to let their children participate in sport, particularly when parents prioritise academic outcomes over sporting activity. Corné agreed with Professor Ha’s view that leaders in the sporting field should design more activities through which parents and children can experience the joy of sport together. “To promote a better sport culture, Laureus can do more, not only with the children, but with the parents in Hong Kong. And when children fall in love with sport, they will convince their parents of its benefits,” he added.

Fourth-year BEd(PE) student Moses Mok Ho-yeung found the seminar inspiring. “The three athletes touched on many topics related to sport. I learnt from their sharing how to promote sport and physical health through community programmes and within the family. The talk also prepares me to become a better PE teacher. Today’s primary school students face a great deal of pressure. I hope I can strengthen their physical fitness and build their resilience when I become their PE teacher one day,” he said.

Dr Gary Chow Chi-ching, Associate Professor of HPE, thanked Laureus Sport for Good, Hong Kong China for co-organising the seminar. In addition to thanking the three guest athletes, he expressed his appreciation to Miss Moraine Chan, Head of Development at Laureus Sport for Good, Hong Kong China and an HPE alumna, and Mr Mal Thompson, a consultant for Laureus, for coordinating the visit and sharing. “During the seminar, Xiaopeng said sport brings positivity to people and improves their well-being. HPE shares that belief, and we will continue to work with different organisations to promote sport,” Dr Chow said.

HPE and Laureus jointly arranged a coaching session prior to the seminar, during which Corné Krige and Anthony Watson led a group of students from the Education University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School in a rugby session. Read “Tackles, Tries, and Tiny Ruggers: Laureus Stars Bring the Game to Life at EdUHK”for full details.