Hong Kong, China SAR: Taichi Kho has won the Cathay 2023 Hong Kong Sports Stars Award for Men, rounding out a sensational 12-month period that saw him claim Asian Games gold as well as his first title on the Asian Tour.
Both those achievements were firsts for a Hongkonger - and it is the first time a golfer has been handed the Hong Kong Sports Stars Award for Men.
“I’m so honoured,” said Kho, runner-up to Japan’s Keita Nakajima at the 2021 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
“I’ve so many people to thank, including the SFOC of Hong Kong, China, the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China, Cathay, and, of course, my friends, family and everyone involved in the previous year.
“I’m so thankful to be surrounded by so many great people and I’m just incredibly grateful for all these opportunities. It’s a great day for Hong Kong golf and hopefully there’s more to come.”
The 23-year-old Kho’s victories in 2023 will live long in the memories of the city’s sports fans.
At the Hangzhou Asiad, Kho held off the chasing pack including Korean PGA Tour stars Im Sung-jae and Kim Si-woo to claim a one-stroke victory that also helped the SAR capture an historic bronze in the men’s team event.
At the Hong Kong Golf Club in March 2023, he claimed his first professional title with a two-stroke win in what was just his third Tour start.
Kho went on to be named Asian Tour Rookie of the Year for a debut professional season that saw him claim that title at Fanling, along with four other top-10 finishes, placing him ninth in the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit standings.
“Taichi is an inspiration to us all and his unprecedented 2023 is a reflection of how far the game has come in Hong Kong,” the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China said in a statement.
“Many around town will still remember Taichi playing his way up through our junior tournaments and now he has claimed Asian Games gold, and become a leading light on the Asia Tour. It really does show our juniors what can be possible if you work hard - and that’s exactly what Taichi has done throughout his career.”
Meanwhile, the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China’s Tim Tang and Taylor Chiang have been recognised for their efforts at the annual Hong Kong Jockey Club Coaching Awards.
Head Coach Tang picked up a Coaching Excellence Award while Chiang was handed a Community Coaching Recognition Award following a memorable 12 months.
“This really is a reward for our team and recognition of all the hard work we have put in together, coaches, players and all our backroom staff,” said Tang.
