SOTY 2023/24: Linguist second-runner up spreads the message of body positivity
Yannox Lung is a 17-year-old debater from Holy Trinity College who uses her language skills to promote self-acceptance.
Yannox Lung, a 17-year-old student from Holy Trinity College, is this year’s second-runner up in the Linguist (Cantonese) category at the Student of the Year awards. Photo: HandoutYannox Lung, has been passionate about Chinese debate since she was a Primary Five student. Now 17, the debater from Holy Trinity College has received the MVP award from the Hong Kong Debate Premier League.
With her quick wit and razor-sharp arguments, Yannox has served as the captain of her school’s debate team. But beyond her impressive track record, she is also a passionate advocate for body positivity, using her platform to challenge societal beauty standards.
Last year, Yannox realised the harmful impact of the narrow beauty ideals in Hong Kong and Asia. Determined to challenge this, she’s using her platform to promote self-acceptance and encourage women to embrace their unique beauty.
“There is a common belief that a slim figure represents beauty and symbolises a woman’s standards and success,” she said.
She observed that social media promotes the idea that “thin is beautiful,” leading many young people to pursue this ideal blindly. Yannox said she has personally struggled with an eating disorder.
“As someone who once held very high expectations for myself, I found myself without any desire to eat what I used to enjoy. My body became increasingly frail; I constantly lost hair and always felt cold. It was a very painful experience.”
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She expressed concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s self-image. “Young people are often not mature enough mentally, and without the ability to discern the information posted on social media, it is easy for them to develop incorrect values,” she said.
Yannox aims to leverage her debate experience to promote a new understanding of women’s self-worth.
“Everyone has their unique beauty, and it is impossible to overlook someone’s efforts and value just because of their body. I think we can start by changing the mindset of young people.”
She hopes to use her future studies in social sciences to further her advocacy for body positivity and social justice. In addition, she aspires to use her platforms to spread accurate information and promote positive values among her peers.
Yannox’s linguistic talent was recognised when she earned second runner-up in the Linguist (Cantonese) category at the Student of the Year Awards, a prestigious event organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Yannox highlighted the valuable lessons she has learned from debate. “In the process of debating, I have learned persistence, striving for improvement, and the importance of listening to others,” she explained. She emphasised that these skills have influenced her daily life, contributing to her growth and understanding of the world.
“Debating has taught me to listen to others carefully rather than hastily using my verbal advantage to respond,” she said.
She encouraged those interested in debate to “never forget why we started debating” and to stay true to their original intentions despite challenges.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, reach out to Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association Limited. Their hotline is 2850 4448.