https://www.scmp.com/rss/511673/feed The 2023 Asian Games will take place in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8. Hangzhou will be the third Chinese city to host the Asian Games, after Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Resisting rigid career templates, four-time women’s world chess champion Hou Yifan balances a spontaneous lifestyle with clear-eyed purpose – from helping drive women’s competition reforms to her PhD research into the cognitive benefits of her game. Only the third woman to have placed in the world’s top 100, following Maia Chiburdanidze and Judit Polgár, Hou has held the women’s world No 1 ranking since 2015. The 32-year-old secured her first women’s world title 16 years ago, three years after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3352175/chinas-hou-yifan-world-chess-champion-who-changes-rules-and-pushes-boundaries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3352175/chinas-hou-yifan-world-chess-champion-who-changes-rules-and-pushes-boundaries?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 04:00:24 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li An official accused of verbally and physically abusing China’s triple Asian Games dragon boat gold medallist Wang Li has been dismissed, according to the provincial sports body that oversees her training. Wang, who won three gold medals at the Hangzhou Games held in 2023, had accused her boss Fan Jiwen, the director of the Songmao Sports Training Base, of abusing her for months after she refused to hand over the prize money she received from the national team last December. This weekend, the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3339606/official-accused-abusing-chinese-athlete-wang-li-sacked-claims-found-basically-true?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3339606/official-accused-abusing-chinese-athlete-wang-li-sacked-claims-found-basically-true?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:00:16 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Triple Asian Games champion Wang Li has said she is afraid to return home and fears retaliation against her family after publicly accusing her boss of abuse and forcing her to retire. Dragon boat star Wang made the claims in a series of RedNote videos, the fifth of which she uploaded on Tuesday. The videos also feature an alleged recording of staff from Yunnan’s Songmao Sports Training Base trying to pressure Wang into retiring. The furore started after Wang said in a video posted last week to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3336902/china-star-wang-li-afraid-return-home-fears-retaliation-over-viral-bullying-video?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3336902/china-star-wang-li-afraid-return-home-fears-retaliation-over-viral-bullying-video?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:58:56 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Chinese officials are investigating accusations that one of their Asian Games gold medallists was verbally and physically abused for months after refusing to give her boss the prize money she won in Hangzhou in 2023. In a video posted on the social media platform RedNote, dragon boat star Wang Li said that on returning to Yunnan’s Songmao Sports Training Base, director Fan Jiwen demanded the 150,000 yuan (HK$165,559) bonus she got from the national team. According to the 23-year-old, when she... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3336596/china-stars-explosive-account-verbal-physical-abuse-hands-official-after-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3336596/china-stars-explosive-account-verbal-physical-abuse-hands-official-after-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:30:21 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hongkongers hoping to catch the action at the National Games in November can expect to pay as little as the cost of a cup of coffee or a fast-food meal for their tickets. Most of the tickets on offer for the events held in Hong Kong – expected to number more than 300,000 – will be priced at an “affordable” level, the man overseeing the multi-sport Games has told the Post. “Ticket prices will range from around HK$50 (US$6.35) to HK$400, or HK$500 at most, with the more expensive tiers being for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3319259/national-games-tickets-cost-little-cup-coffee-hong-kong-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3319259/national-games-tickets-cost-little-cup-coffee-hong-kong-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Jul 2025 08:00:35 +0000 Hong Kong windsurfer Cheng Ching-yin used to be crippled by nerves before big events but he is now targeting a medal at the Paris Olympics after learning to thrive under pressure. Bringing in a sports psychologist helped turn things around for Cheng, who still suffers from pre-race butterflies but is directing the energy in a positive manner, according to head coach Chan King-yin. The windsurfing team begin their Olympic campaign in the southern French city of Marseille on July 28, with the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/article/3269202/paris-olympics-hong-kong-windsurfer-cheng-overcomes-pre-race-jitters-quest-medal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/article/3269202/paris-olympics-hong-kong-windsurfer-cheng-overcomes-pre-race-jitters-quest-medal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jul 2024 01:00:10 +0000 The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is eager to have cricket at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and is exploring the idea of converting a baseball stadium in Nagoya for this purpose. Cricket administrators believe multi-sport events such as the Asian Games are an opportunity to boost the game, which will return to the Olympics at Los Angeles 2028 after a 128-year gap. The sport featured in the Hangzhou Games in China last year, although it was far from being a success with rain largely ruining both... https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3253557/2026-asian-games-organisers-keen-cricket-competition-despite-japan-venue-headache?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3253557/2026-asian-games-organisers-keen-cricket-competition-despite-japan-venue-headache?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:47:21 +0000 Hong Kong teen Jamison Kao believes he can become a chess candidate master sooner than expected after becoming the first Asian to win a prestigious event in Spain. The 14-year-old racked up six wins and three draws on his way to finishing third in the B Group Sub-2000 category at the Gran Hotel Bali International Chess Festival in Benidorm last month, before taking the Sunway Sitges International Chess Festival title in style just before Christmas. Competing against 101 players from 30 countries... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3248215/hong-kong-teen-kao-chasing-chess-master-status-after-historic-victory-spain-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3248215/hong-kong-teen-kao-chasing-chess-master-status-after-historic-victory-spain-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Jan 2024 02:00:26 +0000 Chinese basketball great Yao Ming says that criticism of the men’s national team has gone too far after some players were abused online following a series of disappointing results. Basketball is hugely popular in China, but the team has consistently failed to live up to high expectations, with the latest letdown a loss to the Philippines in the semi-finals of the Asian Games on home soil last month. China beat Taiwan to win bronze but the campaign was regarded as a failure and came weeks after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3242675/yao-ming-vows-support-china-players-after-online-abuse-despite-calling-them-slackers-after-asian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3242675/yao-ming-vows-support-china-players-after-online-abuse-despite-calling-them-slackers-after-asian?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Nov 2023 04:18:22 +0000 The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has fined the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) US$500,000 for allowing North Korea to fly its flag at the Asian Games in Hangzhou despite it being banned over non-compliance with global anti-doping rules. Wada banned the flag at all major sporting events, outside the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in 2021 after deeming that North Korea had failed to implement an effective drug testing programme. But the flag was displayed throughout the 19th Asian Games in China... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3242003/asian-games-bosses-fined-hk38-million-flying-north-korea-flag-hangzhou-despite-countrys-drugs-ban?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3242003/asian-games-bosses-fined-hk38-million-flying-north-korea-flag-hangzhou-despite-countrys-drugs-ban?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Nov 2023 03:44:15 +0000 Hong Kong basketball fans can expect to watch some world-class 3x3 stars play at Victoria Park when the Hong Kong Masters tips off later this month. World No 1 team Ub Huishan NE, who triumphed at the Abu Dhabi Final last year, and Amsterdam, who ranked fourth on the tour, will feature in the final Fiba 3x3 World Tour leg in the city from November 25 to 26. According to the governing body’s official website, Ub Huishan NE and the Dutch side have filled the two performance slots. Ub Huishan NE... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3240671/basketball-fans-treat-world-class-3x3-stars-set-hong-kong-masters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3240671/basketball-fans-treat-world-class-3x3-stars-set-hong-kong-masters?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Nov 2023 11:10:16 +0000 Hong Kong’s table tennis players and wheelchair fencers led the city to a successful final day of the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou by contributing a gold and two bronze medals on Saturday. Women’s doubles pair Ng Mui-wui and Wong Ting-ting defeated Japan in the table tennis class WD22 final, bringing the city’s gold-medal count to eight. In a nail-biter final, the Hong Kong duo traded control with Japanese pair Kanami Furukawa and Maki Ito to pull off a 3-2 (11-5, 10-12, 10-12, 13-11, 11-7)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3239526/asian-para-games-2023-table-tennis-gold-hong-kong-citys-athletes-add-7-more-medals-final-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3239526/asian-para-games-2023-table-tennis-gold-hong-kong-citys-athletes-add-7-more-medals-final-day?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Oct 2023 08:24:50 +0000 China’s women’s wheelchair basketball team defended their Asian Para Games title by defeating Japan in the final on Thursday at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium. China, who also defeated Japan in a group match on Tuesday, breezed past Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Iran to reach the final. In the gold-medal match, the hosts controlled the game from the start. Lin Suiling scored a game-high 21 points, with Lyu Guidi notching 12 and Zhang Tonglei adding another 11 for the team. Ending... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3239373/asian-para-games-tearful-fans-celebrate-china-womens-wheelchair-basketball-gold-japan-are-thrashed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3239373/asian-para-games-tearful-fans-celebrate-china-womens-wheelchair-basketball-gold-japan-are-thrashed?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Oct 2023 04:15:03 +0000 Hong Kong’s athletes have continued to shine at the Asian Para Games, reaching 30 medals in total after the fourth full day of competition in Hangzhou. The city had accumulated five golds, nine silvers and 16 bronzes as of Thursday – ranking 11th in the medals table – and leading the charge was Paralympic swimmer Chan Yui-lam, who topped the podium for a second time in three days. Chan smashed the Games record twice in the women’s 100 metres butterfly S14 at the Hangzhou Sports Centres Aquatics... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3239333/asian-para-games-swimmer-chan-yui-lam-smashes-record-twice-en-route-gold-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3239333/asian-para-games-swimmer-chan-yui-lam-smashes-record-twice-en-route-gold-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Oct 2023 15:07:24 +0000 Hong Kong professional footballer Matt Orr has established a remarkable reputation in the city’s sporting sphere of late. Orr, who plays striker, netted a pivotal goal against Palestine just last month at the Asian Games. The goal gave Hong Kong a 1-0 win, advancing them into the quarter-finals. It was a defining moment for the city, as it marked the first time Hong Kong secured a position among the top eight contenders in the Asian Games since 1958. Although the team suffered a 4-0 defeat to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3238621/meet-hong-kongs-cristiano-ronaldo-matt-orr-26-year-old-began-playing-age-four-and-just-helped-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3238621/meet-hong-kongs-cristiano-ronaldo-matt-orr-26-year-old-began-playing-age-four-and-just-helped-city?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Oct 2023 06:00:21 +0000 Anuja Kulung Rai cut classes and rebelled against her parents to play sports, an unconventional choice for many girls in her village in eastern Nepal’s Jhapa district. She cycled for more than an hour and even travelled secretly to nearby cities to train for kabaddi. After years of training, the 24-year-old achieved her biggest victory yet this month following her selection for Nepal’s women’s kabaddi team. The country clinched the bronze medal at the Asian Games in the Chinese city of Hangzhou... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3238684/nepals-kabaddi-medal-asian-games-shines-spotlight-overlooked-women-athletes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3238684/nepals-kabaddi-medal-asian-games-shines-spotlight-overlooked-women-athletes?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Oct 2023 03:30:15 +0000 Success in sports is something familiar to Hong Kong athletes. Over the past 10 years, talented and dedicated Hong Kong men and women have been achieving success in various sports, including athletics, badminton, cycling, fencing, golf, rugby sevens, sailing, swimming, table tennis and windsurfing. Recently, Hong Kong’s sports profile has been raised even more dramatically with our athletes’ excellent results at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou that concluded on October 8. Hong Kong won 53... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3238460/lift-hong-kong-athletes-game-more-targeted-funding-needed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3238460/lift-hong-kong-athletes-game-more-targeted-funding-needed?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Oct 2023 01:30:10 +0000 With the opening ceremony days away, the city of Hangzhou has smoothly transitioned from the Asian Games to the Asian Para Games, as the first day of competition kicked off on Thursday. The 4th Asian Para Games will showcase 22 sports across 19 competition venues, with each containing barrier-free facilities. After the Asian Games ended, crews installed additional accommodation in the stands, corridors, press conference rooms, athletes’ lounges and for the award ceremonies. At the Xiaoshan... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3238537/hangzhou-transforms-venues-asian-para-games-wheelchair-basketball-matches-mark-start-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3238537/hangzhou-transforms-venues-asian-para-games-wheelchair-basketball-matches-mark-start-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Oct 2023 13:06:53 +0000 Hong Kong’s athletes were congratulated by the city’s leader John Lee Ka-chiu on Saturday for their record-breaking exploits in Hangzhou, but they and officials alike made clear that the focus had already shifted to the next destination: Paris. The reception at the city’s government offices felt like the drawing of a line under the continental Games as a global version looms in the form of next year’s Olympics in the French capital. Absentees included Siobhan Haughey, the swimmer wholly or... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3237970/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-stars-feted-government-reception-olympic-committee-chief-promises-funding?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3237970/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-stars-feted-government-reception-olympic-committee-chief-promises-funding?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Oct 2023 14:17:47 +0000 A Thai national breakdancing athlete is asking someone to sponsor him for hair growth treatment, saying his team is losing their locks when they compete. Kantapon Rodsaart, known as T-Flow, represented Thailand in early October at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Breakdancing was added this year to the Games for the first time, and Rodsaart was one of the 66 dancers who competed. Kantapon, 29, was speaking to Thai media about facilities and support that his team needs and brought up hair... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3237752/thai-breakdancer-urges-hair-growth-cash-headspins-make-his-locks-fall-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3237752/thai-breakdancer-urges-hair-growth-cash-headspins-make-his-locks-fall-out?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:08:47 +0000 The best coaches and athletes in the world, no matter what sport they are involved in, never rest on their laurels. Success is merely a motivation for more success. Alex Ferguson, one the best managers in football history, would return to his office the morning after winning a Premier League title or a Champions League and immediately begin planning for the next one. Before their gold medal at the Asian Games, the Hong Kong men’s rugby sevens side spent five years preparing to defend the title... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237314/asian-games-2023-can-hong-kong-maintain-hangzhou-success-hk7-billion-question?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237314/asian-games-2023-can-hong-kong-maintain-hangzhou-success-hk7-billion-question?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:30:19 +0000 Global Impact is a weekly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world. Sign up now! The curtain will come down on the Asian Games on Sunday, bringing an end to what has been the most successful event for Hong Kong’s athletes, at the biggest regional gathering of athletes in history. Nearly 12,000 competitors, more than will take part in next summer’s Olympics in Paris, and as many technical officials, media,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/article/3237250/global-impact-china-delivers-home-asian-games-hong-kong-also-shines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/article/3237250/global-impact-china-delivers-home-asian-games-hong-kong-also-shines?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Oct 2023 06:00:25 +0000 I’m glad Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has declared the “Night Vibes Hong Kong” campaign a success even though it isn’t technically over until early next year. The campaign began with the Mid-Autumn Festival launch, continues through Christmas and wraps up with the Lunar New Year. But enough of the technicalities. Lee is a master of setting himself up for success. It’s one more tick to add to his key performance indicator (KPI) scorecard, ahead of his policy address later this month. With... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3237073/asian-games-hong-kongs-story-triumph-gives-all-right-vibes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3237073/asian-games-hong-kongs-story-triumph-gives-all-right-vibes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Oct 2023 01:30:08 +0000 Chinese Premier Li Qiang helped bring the Asian Games in Hangzhou to a close on Sunday, as thousands of spectators, athletes and volunteers celebrated two emotion-filled weeks of sporting endeavour. A ceremony once again bursting with colour, and marrying technology with human performance, saluted not only those who had competed on the field and track, in the ring and on the water, but also the host city and Nagoya, Japan, which will come next. The giant torch bearer from the opening ceremony... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237233/asian-games-2023-curtain-falls-triumphant-fortnight-hosts-china-and-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237233/asian-games-2023-curtain-falls-triumphant-fortnight-hosts-china-and-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Oct 2023 14:26:38 +0000 North Korea has agreed to let drug-testing officials back into the country, the Olympic Council of Asia said on Sunday, a move it hopes will temper a row over its flag being flown at the Asian Games. North Korea has been largely closed off from the outside world since early 2020, when it shut its borders because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) declared North Korea’s national anti-doping body “non-compliant” in 2021 because it was unable to get its testers into the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3237227/asian-games-2023-north-korea-let-drug-testers-visit-olympic-council-asia-says-it-faces-sanction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3237227/asian-games-2023-north-korea-let-drug-testers-visit-olympic-council-asia-says-it-faces-sanction?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Oct 2023 12:39:08 +0000 This story has been made freely available to our readers as part of our Asian Games coverage. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. After more than two weeks of competition, the curtain fell on the 2023 Asian Games in a spectacular closing ceremony on Sunday night at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. China, of course, dominated proceedings on home soil, topping the medals table for an 11th successive Games. The hosts’ 201st gold, secured on the final day, left... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237219/asian-games-2023-romantic-touching-closing-ceremony-bring-curtain-down-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237219/asian-games-2023-romantic-touching-closing-ceremony-bring-curtain-down-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Oct 2023 11:30:11 +0000 Paris Saint-Germain star Lee Kang-in has a “responsibility” to take South Korean football forward after earning a military exemption with Asian Games gold on Saturday, coach Hwang Sun-hong said. Lee helped South Korea claim the title for the third time in a row with a livewire performance in his team’s 2-1 win over Japan in Hangzhou. Nearly every able-bodied South Korean male is required to perform at least 18 months of military service, but the government gives exemptions to Asian Games gold... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3237209/asian-games-2023-south-koreas-lee-kang-told-military-exemption-brings-responsibility-after-beating?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3237209/asian-games-2023-south-koreas-lee-kang-told-military-exemption-brings-responsibility-after-beating?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Oct 2023 07:07:10 +0000 Hong Kong’s karate team narrowly missed the chance to add another medal to the city’s tally at the Asian Games on Sunday, as the men’s kata team sank to a fifth-place tie out of six competing teams. After a fifth-place finish in the men’s individual kata on Thursday, Chris Cheng Tsz-man led a Hong Kong team also including Howard Hung Ho-wai and Tang Yu-hin. With only six teams taking part in the event, all were guaranteed a place in the bronze medal match, at least, regardless of their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237206/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-mens-kata-team-miss-out-podium-and-disappointment-tsang-womens-50kg?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237206/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-mens-kata-team-miss-out-podium-and-disappointment-tsang-womens-50kg?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Oct 2023 06:13:47 +0000 Badminton world number one An Se-young beat China’s Chen Yufei in a gruelling final to win Asian Games gold on Saturday and add another title to her stunning breakout year. The South Korean won the first game 21-18 in a close fight in Hangzhou that sent both players diving to the ground to return shots. Top-ranked An hurt her knee during the first game and was attended to by doctors. The scrape seemed to break her momentum in the second game, which Olympic champion Chen won 21-17. The South... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237196/asian-games-2023-south-koreas-se-young-wins-badminton-gold-deny-chinas-chen-yufei-both-limp-court?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237196/asian-games-2023-south-koreas-se-young-wins-badminton-gold-deny-chinas-chen-yufei-both-limp-court?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Oct 2023 03:43:54 +0000 Gifted an arm-chair ride by Asian Games organisers, India were awarded gold in the men’s cricket on Saturday, with the rain-hit T20 final against Afghanistan decided by the superpower’s better global ranking. Afghanistan, ranked 10th in the ICC’s T20 rankings versus world number one India, were left with silver and powerless to do anything about it after rain halted the match when they were 112 for five after 18.2 overs of the first innings. With India unable to bat a minimum required five overs... https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3237195/asian-games-2023-india-gifted-gold-rain-finally-exposes-cricket-farce-it-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3237195/asian-games-2023-india-gifted-gold-rain-finally-exposes-cricket-farce-it-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Oct 2023 03:40:42 +0000 Hong Kong’s results at the Asian Games were a “breakthrough moment” and proved the city has a bright sporting future ahead, chef de mission Kenneth Fok Kai-kong said on Saturday. Speaking minutes before the men’s footballers took on Uzbekistan in a third-place play-off, a game they lost 4-0, Fok said the 53 medals the city’s athletes had won in Hangzhou should be a source of pride for Hongkongers. Fok took just two questions before rushing away from the short briefing, to reveal there would be a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237185/asian-games-2023-hong-kongs-breakthrough-moment-hailed-after-record-breaking-hangzhou-haul?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237185/asian-games-2023-hong-kongs-breakthrough-moment-hailed-after-record-breaking-hangzhou-haul?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Oct 2023 01:00:25 +0000 Hong Kong’s athletes will look back on the 19th Asian Games, which concludes in Hangzhou on Sunday, with much pride. They punched above their weight in one of the world’s biggest sporting events, sweeping a record haul of more than 50 medals, including eight gold. Swimming, fencing and golf topped the podium for the first time. There was also success in windsurfing, wushu, bridge, equestrian and athletics events, as well as cycling, karate, rugby sevens and rowing. There was even a medal for... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3237180/asian-games-success-should-be-turning-point-sport-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3237180/asian-games-success-should-be-turning-point-sport-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Oct 2023 16:30:10 +0000 Hong Kong football coach Jorn Andersen has called on the domestic Premier League to overhaul the conditioning of its players, after his national side missed out on a medal at the Asian Games. Andersen’s men were dealt another heavy defeat as they lost 4-0 to Uzbekistan and had to settle for a fourth-place finish on Saturday afternoon. Just three days after their 4-0 thrashing by Japan in the semi-finals, Hong Kong were outclassed by the Uzbeks for the third time in 16 days at the Shangcheng... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3237167/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-footballers-denied-bronze-familiar-foes-uzbekistan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3237167/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-footballers-denied-bronze-familiar-foes-uzbekistan?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Oct 2023 09:53:31 +0000 Chinese Basketball Association president Yao Ming has accused the country’s players of being “slackers” and gave another sobering address to the media after the men’s team’s Asian Games bronze medal win. China bounced back from their heartbreaking semi-final loss to the Philippines by easing past Chinese Taipei 101-73 on Friday night in Hangzhou, but it was poor recompense for a miserable several weeks for the men’s team, when they also failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. And Yao said... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3237157/asian-games-2023-yao-ming-says-chinese-basketball-needs-open-world-fears-being-further-left-behind?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3237157/asian-games-2023-yao-ming-says-chinese-basketball-needs-open-world-fears-being-further-left-behind?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Oct 2023 06:48:33 +0000 Filipinos roared in joy and relief as their men’s basketball team ended decades of heartbreak in winning their first Asian Games gold medal in 61 years. Many in the basketball-crazy nation of 110 million people were glued to television and mobile phone screens as the “Gilas”, Tagalog for panache, eked out a 70-60 victory over Jordan in the final in Hangzhou, China. At a watch party at a university hostel in northern Manila, the crowd erupted as the last Jordanian rally flamed out. “I’m very... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3237144/asian-games-2023-joy-and-pride-philippines-ends-61-year-basketball-gold-medal-drought?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3237144/asian-games-2023-joy-and-pride-philippines-ends-61-year-basketball-gold-medal-drought?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Oct 2023 02:22:15 +0000 Japan were booed but kept their cool in an “interesting” atmosphere to beat North Korea 4-1 and retain their Asian Games women’s football crown on Friday. The crowd of more than 35,000 in the Chinese city of Hangzhou was overwhelmingly in North Korea’s favour and booed the Japanese players when they went on the attack. After going in 1-1 at the break, Japan scored three goals in the space of six second-half minutes to silence the stadium. Japan coach Michihisa Kano said his players “felt the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3237143/asian-games-2023-japan-defy-chinese-boos-beat-north-korea-womens-football-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3237143/asian-games-2023-japan-defy-chinese-boos-beat-north-korea-womens-football-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Oct 2023 02:16:06 +0000 Hong Kong’s breakdancers were left to face some harsh truths as the city’s four entrants failed to reach the Asian Games’ knockout stage on Friday. With the city’s men first to perform in the preselection, B-Boy C Plus (Sze Ka-yam) and B-Boy Think (Tsang Tsz-wa) hit the dance floor at Gongshu Canal Sports Park Gymnasium for breaking’s debut in Hangzhou. B-Boy C Plus made his entrance first and managed to score 614.5 points to advance to the round robin, while B-Boy Think, ousted after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237119/asian-games-2023-b-boy-c-plus-enjoyed-journey-despite-hong-kong-breakdancers-humbling-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237119/asian-games-2023-b-boy-c-plus-enjoyed-journey-despite-hong-kong-breakdancers-humbling-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 13:17:20 +0000 Hong Kong won their record-equalling eighth gold medal of the Asian Games on Friday when their men’s team thrashed India in the bridge final. An emphatic 229.1-152 win for Lai Wai-kit, Mak Kwok-fai, Ho Wai-lam, Ho Hoi-tung, Chiu Wai-lap and Sze Shun-sum put Hong Kong on the top step of the podium to draw level with the eight golds the city collected at the 2010 and 2018 editions. It further boosted an overall medal count that had already surpassed the 46 Hong Kong earned five years ago, and as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237101/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-reach-8-golds-they-play-their-cards-right-win-bridge-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237101/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-reach-8-golds-they-play-their-cards-right-win-bridge-final?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 11:15:45 +0000 China’s women’s national basketball team showed the men how it’s done once again, beating Japan in Thursday night’s final and defending their Asian Games title. The men threw away a lead against the Philippines and lost a nail-biting semi-final on Wednesday night, breaking the hearts of a basketball-obsessed home nation. To make matters worse, they cancelled their post-match grilling by the media before NBA legend and Chinese Basketball Association president Yao Ming apologised and brought the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237084/asian-games-2023-china-women-win-basketball-gold-heal-home-hearts-after-mens-loss-you-can-always?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237084/asian-games-2023-china-women-win-basketball-gold-heal-home-hearts-after-mens-loss-you-can-always?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 09:48:02 +0000 North Korea proclaimed themselves “world leaders” after winning a sixth Asian Games weightlifting gold to cap their return to international competition after a four-year absence. Song Kuk-hyang, last seen at the 2018 Youth Olympics, won the women’s 76kg category in Hangzhou on Thursday to take North Korea’s total in the sport to six golds, five silvers and two bronze. They currently top the medals table in weightlifting. Song hoisted 150kg with her final lift in the clean and jerk to pip... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237055/asian-games-2023-north-korea-declare-themselves-weightlifting-world-leaders-they-end-4-year-hiatus-6?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237055/asian-games-2023-north-korea-declare-themselves-weightlifting-world-leaders-they-end-4-year-hiatus-6?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:53:11 +0000 Diving prodigy Quan Hongchan of China is an Olympic gold medallist and now an Asian Games gold medallist, but, as Chinese netizens love to point out, she is also still an adorable kid. It wasn’t her gold medal performance for the women’s synchronised 10m platform that enamoured the audience nor was it her second gold from the individual women’s 10m platform – those victories were almost a given. Rather, she won over hearts with her quirky anecdotes, namely involving her many, many turtle... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237032/asian-games-2023-chinese-fans-love-adorable-teen-diver-quan-hongchan-and-zoo-hanging-her-backpack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237032/asian-games-2023-chinese-fans-love-adorable-teen-diver-quan-hongchan-and-zoo-hanging-her-backpack?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 07:04:22 +0000 Imagine turning an after-school activity into a true profession – one that would pit you against the regional best at the Asian Games. Just ask Jamison Kao, the 14-year-old chess prodigy from Hong Kong. “It all started about two years ago because my friend at school asked me to,” the Hong Kong International School eighth-grade student said. “It’s not an easy game and you need to use your brain, it involves a lot of strategy and the variations are unlimited.” Kao, who was fond of playing board... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237023/asian-games-2023-meet-hong-kongs-14-year-old-chess-prodigy-who-skipped-year-school-take-part?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3237023/asian-games-2023-meet-hong-kongs-14-year-old-chess-prodigy-who-skipped-year-school-take-part?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 06:17:00 +0000 The political messaging is in the details at this year’s Asian Games in eastern China, observers say, with Cantopop, ballads and references to Taiwan signalling official positions. The multi-sport event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, started on September 23 and runs until Sunday after being postponed for a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the second major international sports event hosted by China without any Covid-related restrictions – the Fisu World University Games were held in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3236944/pop-music-played-asian-games-shows-host-china-singing-new-tune-rally-young-people?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3236944/pop-music-played-asian-games-shows-host-china-singing-new-tune-rally-young-people?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 05:00:18 +0000 South Korean badminton player Kim Ga-eun has denied imitating and mocking her tearful Chinese opponent He Bingjiao, after a post-match incident went viral at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. The hosts were stunned 3-0 by South Korea in the women’s team badminton final last Sunday, with the whitewash played out in front of a partisan crowd on China’s National Day. World No 1 An Se-young dominated Olympic champion and world No 3 Chen Yufei in the first match of the tie, before the world No 2 pairing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237013/asian-games-2023-south-korean-badminton-star-kim-ga-eun-denies-mocking-chinas-he-bingjiao-crying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3237013/asian-games-2023-south-korean-badminton-star-kim-ga-eun-denies-mocking-chinas-he-bingjiao-crying?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 04:52:38 +0000 Turkmenistan’s Tejen Tejenov on Thursday became the first medallist at the Hangzhou Asian Games to fail a doping test, officials said, with a Saudi runner later becoming the sixth athlete in total. The 30-year-old Tejenov, who came second in the heavyweight 90kg category of kurash, an ancient form of wrestling, tested positive for anabolic steroids, the International Testing Agency said. He has been provisionally suspended and is in danger of being stripped of his silver medal. “The athlete has... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3236991/asian-games-records-first-doping-case-involving-medallist-saudi-runner-later-becomes-sixth-athlete?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3236991/asian-games-records-first-doping-case-involving-medallist-saudi-runner-later-becomes-sixth-athlete?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 02:52:40 +0000 Breaking is about to make its debut at one of the biggest global sporting competitions. With dozens of breakers heading to Hangzhou to compete for gold along with a shot at qualifying for the Paris Olympics, stakes are high for these athletes, many of whom are entering the most important competition in their careers thus far. Breaking is a relatively new, niche sport, warranting a deep dive into its culture and unique nuances. What is breaking? Breaking – or ‘breakdancing’ as it has been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3236880/breaking-down-breaking-understanding-olympic-event-where-dance-originated-and-learning-its-key-moves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3236880/breaking-down-breaking-understanding-olympic-event-where-dance-originated-and-learning-its-key-moves?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 01:00:12 +0000 When Hong Kong’s highest ranked breakdancer B-Boy C Plus steps onto the dance floor to compete, he always stares into the spotlight to absorb the energy from the spectators and dancers around him. On Friday he will be doing that on his biggest stage so far, as his sport makes its Asian Games debut in Hangzhou. “When I watch the spotlight, I can relax more and feel it, just be myself and the whole world is calm,” said C Plus, whose real name is Sze Ka-yam. Even after 16 years of breaking and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3236879/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-breakdancer-b-boy-c-plus-wants-world-championship-and-more-resources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3236879/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-breakdancer-b-boy-c-plus-wants-world-championship-and-more-resources?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:00:20 +0000 The Hong Kong team headed to the Asian Games in Hangzhou last month with high hopes and great expectations. The 680-strong squad, the biggest the city has ever fielded, set their sights on glory in 40 sports. They have excelled. An unprecedented haul of medals has already been secured, with 52 in the bag and more expected before the Games end on Sunday. Records have been broken and history made. The athletes have done Hong Kong proud. Five years ago, in Jakarta, the city won 46 medals at the... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3236965/asian-games-heroes-need-hong-kong-support-build-their-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3236965/asian-games-heroes-need-hong-kong-support-build-their-success?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Oct 2023 22:15:19 +0000 After what was likely to have been the last race of an illustrious career, decorated Hong Kong cyclist Leung Chun-wing turned his attention to his next job as the team’s coach. The former Asian Games gold medallist finished well down the field in 29th in the men’s road race on Thursday, crossing the line in four hours, 32 minutes and 59 seconds, nearly eight minutes behind Kazakhstan’s Yevgeiny Fedorov and Alexy Lutsenko, who crossed holding hands in 4:25:29. Fedorov took gold, Lutsenko silver... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3236956/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-cyclist-leung-chun-wing-set-become-coach-warns-team-be-realistic-going?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3236956/asian-games-2023-hong-kong-cyclist-leung-chun-wing-set-become-coach-warns-team-be-realistic-going?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:55:58 +0000 Chan Sin-yuk was three points from gold at the Asian Games on Thursday, she walked away with silver, adding another medal to Hong Kong’s tally, even though it wasn’t the one she wanted. Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam fought back every time Chan got in front in a gripping encounter that lasted more than an hour at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre. Tied at two games apiece, Chan and Subramaniam had traded blows from the start and it wasn’t until the decider that there was any clear daylight... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3236940/asian-games-2023-hong-kongs-chan-takes-silver-womens-squash-falls-just-short-against-sivasangari?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3236940/asian-games-2023-hong-kongs-chan-takes-silver-womens-squash-falls-just-short-against-sivasangari?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Oct 2023 10:35:41 +0000