The UQ Hong Kong Prize recognizes and supports outstanding academic achievements of students from Hong Kong enrolled at UQ. The award serves as both recognition and motivation to enable these individuals to reach their full potential through UQ education, with past winners becoming internationally acclaimed researchers or inspiring leaders across their chosen field.

Prize money is awarded in cash to each event winner and divided equally amongst their top two finishers; thus the winner of event one receives HK$360,000 while its runner-up receives HK$200,000; with this year’s total prize pool exceeding HK$1.3 Million!

Additional to the main prizes, 10 special awards will be granted to athletes who exhibit exceptional achievements during each event. These prizes include Champion: HK$10,000; Bronze: HK$7,500; Silver: HK$5,000 and Gold: HK$3,000 – with recipients receiving their awards in a ceremony following each race.

At Art Basel Hong Kong this year, several other awards were also announced alongside the race, including the inaugural MGM Discoveries Art Prize awarded to South Korean artist Shin Min. She explores working conditions in South Korean service and corporate sectors through her artwork; supported by casino conglomerate MGM. This prize marks a collaboration between MGM and Art Basel Hong Kong.

Jimmy Lai, an imprisoned pro-democracy activist since 2020 and facing life imprisonment under Beijing’s national security laws, received the 2025 Bradley Prize awarded by the International Campaign for Human Rights in China and its international panel of experts from around the world. Lai was presented this award of US$150,000 as presented by his international campaign group.

This year’s Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place between August 28 and September 8. The Hong Kong SAR government has allocated over HK$130 million towards supporting sports for people with disabilities and increasing quality sporting achievements on its territory. In addition, 23 athletes will compete across eight events.

In the event there are no winners of either 1st or 2nd division prizes, their value will be added into a jackpot that can be won during future draws. This process may continue as many times as needed until there is a winner, meaning prize money payout could reach as much as HK$100 million! Prize money provides athletes with incentive to compete, making the difference between success and failure clearer. Attributes such as money can also make a big difference to an athlete’s morale and can help create a more equitable playing environment for all competitors. This will lead to increased public interest in sports.