Rise With The Mountain: Janet Kung’s Four-Year Climb to the Top

At the recently concluded Cheung Chau Bun Scrambling Competition, the intensity was higher than ever. Facing a fast-paced race and a strong field of competitors, MAMMUT athlete Janet Kung once again delivered a composed and powerful performance, defending her title as the women’s champion and achieving an incredible fourth consecutive victory.

This was more than another win.

It was the result of years of training, discipline, persistence and climbing experience. It was also a story that connects Hong Kong’s unique cultural heritage with the spirit of climbing.

A Vertical Challenge Rooted in Hong Kong Tradition

For people in Hong Kong, the Cheung Chau Bun Scrambling Competition is one of the city’s most iconic traditional events. For international readers, it may sound unusual at first.

The competition is part of the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, a long-standing local celebration held on Cheung Chau Island. During the race, athletes climb a bun-covered tower within a very short time limit, collecting “peace buns” placed at different heights. The higher the buns, the higher the score — and the greater the physical and mental challenge.

On the surface, it is a festive tradition.

But for anyone standing beneath the towering structure, it quickly becomes clear: this is also a pure vertical challenge.

The height of the tower, the limited time, the explosive pace and the pressure of competition all test an athlete’s judgement, core stability, power output, body control and route selection. To stay calm under pressure while moving with speed and precision is, in many ways, the essence of climbing.

Why Bun Scrambling Is Deeply Connected to Climbing

Climbing is never only about moving upward.

It is about decision-making.
It is about rhythm.
It is about staying focused when the body is already close to its limit.

In bun scrambling, athletes are not only racing against time. They must read the route, manage their energy, control their body weight and make split-second decisions with every hand and foot placement. One missed move can break the rhythm. One moment of hesitation can change the result.

This is closely connected to the skills used in rock climbing, competition climbing and even decision-making in the mountains.

A true climber does not rely on strength alone. Climbing demands a balance of technique, experience, explosiveness, endurance and mental strength. Janet once again proved that she has the ability to bring all these elements together when it matters most.

Four Consecutive Titles Built on Countless Hours of Work

What people see is the glory of Janet’s fourth consecutive title.

What deserves even greater respect is the work behind it.

Countless training sessions, repeated efforts to push beyond her limits, finishing every set even when exhausted, and a relentless pursuit of technical and physical detail — these are the foundations behind her climb to the top.

On the tower, Janet showed more than speed. She showed the calm judgement built through years of climbing experience. Every movement came from body memory. Every burst of power came from training. Every move upward was another answer to the limits in front of her.

Her fourth consecutive victory is not only the honour of being the “Queen of the Bun Tower”. It is also a powerful expression of Hong Kong’s climbing spirit.

Moving Higher Together with Janet

At MAMMUT, we believe climbing does not only exist on mountains, rock walls or ice faces. Climbing is an attitude towards challenge. It is the decision to move upward, again and again.

From the mountains to the city, from rock walls to the bun tower of Cheung Chau, the spirit of climbing is never limited by location. Wherever there is height, challenge and uncertainty, there is a reason to give everything.

Thank you, Janet, for bringing such energy, emotion and inspiration to the competition.

Through your performance, you showed what the spirit of pushing limits truly means.

Congratulations to Janet Kung on winning the women’s title at the Cheung Chau Bun Scrambling Competition for the fourth consecutive year.

MAMMUT will continue to stand alongside Janet as she takes on new challenges and moves towards higher, further summits.

Rise With The Mountain.