Olympic hammer throw bronze medallist Zhang Wenxiu and top hurdler Shi Dongpeng will add a touch of class to this Saturday's international meet at Wan Chai Sports Ground as Hong Kong gears up to the 2009 East Asian Games.
Leading athletes from seven regions in Asia - including China, Japan, Malaysia and North Korea - have been invited for the grand prix-like competition. A straight final will be held to decide medals in each of the 13 events.
'We want to bring some top athletes to compete against our athletes as part of our build-up for the EAG,' said Eric Lee Chi-wing, chairman of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association.
'The event will also act as a trial run for our judges as they need more international exposure.'
Zhang holds a personal best of 76.68 metres, but was only able to throw 74.32m at the Beijing Games where she won the bronze medal.
Shi, 24, came fifth in the men's 110m hurdles with a personal best 13.19 seconds at last year's world championship in Osaka, where countryman Liu Xiang won his first world title. While Liu was forced to pull out of his heat at the Beijing Games due to a tendon problem, Shi was eliminated in the second round.