A para dance sport competition this weekend will be Hong Kong's sole mass participation event for the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games.

Around 100 athletes, including 23 from the SAR, will appear at the two-day event at Ma On Shan Sports Centre. They include Matthew Yu, who will compete in the Combi Latin Dance 3-Dance and the Combi Latin Dance 5-Dance.

The Combi Latin Dance 3-Dance includes cha-cha-cha, samba, and rumba, while the 5-Dance also features the paso doble and jive.

Yu said he is extremely happy to be competing on home soil, and soak in the support from the crowd.

The SAR athlete bagged a gold and a silver at the Hong Kong 2025 Para Dance Sport International Competition in March.

He shared an unexpected twist in his athletic journey -- in which he started off as a para basketball player.

"I have played wheelchair basketball since 2018. Before 2023, I've never thought that I would change my sport in my career. Although I love to try different things and play different sports, I love exploring, but it's never seen in my mind," he said.

"In 2023, China Hong Kong Para Dance Sport Association [held] a basic training course. Based on my curiosity, I joined it and [that was] my first time to play para dance sport."

Yu said that while basketball is generally perceived as more intense and powerful, and dance is more graceful and soft, training for the two sports is mutually beneficial.

He credits basketball for building his physical fitness and wheelchair handling skills, while para dance taught him how to better move his body and understand which muscles to use.

"In our training, we're more [focused] on connection and music. Also, we have extra physical training to improve our power and stamina," he said.

Yu also cherishes para dance's unique opportunity to compete alongside able-bodied friends.

"I find something interesting in there because they include the element of inclusiveness and because also para dance sports also gave me a different chance, opportunity and achievements."