https://www.scmp.com/rss/514231/feed Mike joined SCMP in 2022 with 20 years of experience in sports journalism across various platforms. Previously working in Singapore as a producer with ESPN, Mike is a true sports lover with a particular interest in basketball and football, and has been a Liverpool fan since 1988. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Mike Chan Mike Chan Table tennis veteran Wong Chun-ting is hoping to build on the momentum of last year’s results with his partner, Baldwin Chan Ho-wah, after the pair won the best sports combination award at the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards. Wong, who has won the award three times before with his long-term mixed doubles partner Doo Hoi-kem, was nominated with Chan for the first time. The city’s men’s doubles duo, who only became regular partners in October 2024, were recognised as one of three winners on Tuesday... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3349060/hong-kong-table-tennis-star-wong-hopes-build-strong-momentum-partner-chan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3349060/hong-kong-table-tennis-star-wong-hopes-build-strong-momentum-partner-chan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:30:12 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan South China are aiming to make an impact when their Basketball Champions League Asia campaign begins next week, and have some old faces on hand to help their cause. Playing in their first overseas competition in more than 40 years, the Hong Kong side have temporarily brought back four former players to bolster their line-up. Dominic Gilbert and Glen Yang have come in from A1 Division rivals Hong Kong Eastern, Leung Shiu-wah returns from Winling, while Tsai Choi-kwan comes back from Tycoon. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349032/south-china-bringing-back-some-old-hands-they-start-champions-league-asia-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349032/south-china-bringing-back-some-old-hands-they-start-champions-league-asia-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:35:07 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The Hong Kong men’s handball team admitted that they felt it was “now or never” to achieve on-court success after winning the best team prize for the first time at this week’s Cathay 2025 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards. Since the inception of the sports team award at the event in 2004, the majority – 17 out of 21 – on offer have been snapped up by rugby or football teams. The city’s men’s handball team, which is an amateur side, became only the third sport – after cricket and lion dance – outside... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3348918/hong-kong-mens-handball-team-admit-it-now-or-never-achieve-success-after-award-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3348918/hong-kong-mens-handball-team-admit-it-now-or-never-achieve-success-after-award-win?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:30:07 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The Fifa World Cup trophy will be on display in Hong Kong for the first time when the Fifa Museum opens in the city in two months. Located on the fourth floor of Times Square in Causeway Bay and taking up 6,000 sq ft, the Fifa Museum will run for six months from its May 28 grand opening, which is expected to be attended by several football legends, including former world champions from Brazil, France and Spain. Asia Partners IFBD Corporation, the global sports investment company that owns the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348526/world-cup-trophies-take-pride-place-when-fifa-museum-opens-hong-kong-6-months?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348526/world-cup-trophies-take-pride-place-when-fifa-museum-opens-hong-kong-6-months?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:55:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Fencing world champion and first-time nominee Ryan Choi Chun-yin scooped up the big prize when he was crowned men’s “best of the best” at the Cathay 2025 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards on Tuesday. Choi, who last year became the men’s foil individual world champion in Tbilisi and rose to the world No 1 spot, also won two other awards during the ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, attended by Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, and Secretary for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3348576/hong-kong-sports-stars-awards-fencer-ryan-choi-swimmer-siobhan-haughey-win-best-best?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3348576/hong-kong-sports-stars-awards-fencer-ryan-choi-swimmer-siobhan-haughey-win-best-best?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:22:30 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan A city in China will be announced as one of seven host cities for a global basketball season over the course of the next few weeks, the South China Morning Post has learned. League executives confirmed that the “vast majority of events” of Project B, the new women’s and men’s basketball league that will begin in November and run until April next year, will take place in Asia and Europe during its debut season. Tokyo, the fourth stop on the circuit, was first announced in January. Valencia, the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348373/chinese-city-be-named-among-7-host-cities-new-basketball-league-project-b?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348373/chinese-city-be-named-among-7-host-cities-new-basketball-league-project-b?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:17:21 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong Eastern are expected to enter multiple regional basketball tournaments next season after becoming domestic champions for the third time in franchise history. Securing the A1 Division crown earned the team a spot in the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCLA), while a third run in an expanded East Asia Super League (EASL) is also on the cards. With the local league and Senior Shield running from August to March, the EASL from October to March and BCLA qualifiers starting April, the team... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348297/third-title-has-hong-kong-eastern-eyeing-greater-basketball-test-regional-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348297/third-title-has-hong-kong-eastern-eyeing-greater-basketball-test-regional-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 02:01:03 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Returning to the scene of the first-ever Hong Kong Sevens, former city rugby captain Bob Lloyd admitted there was “no way” he could have imagined 50 years ago that the tournament would become what it is today. The first edition that kicked off at the Football Club on March 28, 1976, was the only Sevens tournament Lloyd competed in. A former England international with five caps and two career tries between 1967 and 1968, after he finished playing, Lloyd became the coach for the city’s team in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3348258/former-hong-kong-sevens-captain-bob-lloyd-relives-50-years-rugby-magic-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3348258/former-hong-kong-sevens-captain-bob-lloyd-relives-50-years-rugby-magic-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:30:12 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan One of the best overseas basketball players to compete in Hong Kong believes imminent change is needed if the sport is to survive in the city. Former Canadian international Tyler Kepkay, considered by many to be the best import of the past 30 years, said a “collective effort” was required after decades of neglect. But the newly retired 38-year-old also believed there was reason to be optimistic, pointing to the passion for the game at the grass roots level and the opportunities that exist just... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3346189/copy-nba-make-hong-kong-basketball-chinas-g-league-save-sport-city-local-star-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3346189/copy-nba-make-hong-kong-basketball-chinas-g-league-save-sport-city-local-star-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:30:07 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China table tennis legend Ma Long will visit Hong Kong next week to talk to local students, and a demand for tickets has already sprung up online despite it being a free, registration-only event. The six-time Olympic champion commands a crowd wherever he goes, and a 90-minute seminar at Polytechnic University seems to be no exception. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, vice-president of the city’s Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, will host the event – A Glamorous Transformation in Sports: The Next... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3346068/mas-hong-kong-visit-sparks-online-ticket-frenzy-despite-being-free-registration-only?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3346068/mas-hong-kong-visit-sparks-online-ticket-frenzy-despite-being-free-registration-only?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:31:44 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China get another chance to qualify for the Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup this week, and will have home fans roaring them on. Gong Luming’s side will play five matches in seven days in a six-team tournament in Wuhan and need to finish in the top three to reach September’s tournament in Berlin. An opener against Mali on Wednesday will be followed by ties against the already qualified Belgium, South Sudan, the Czech Republic and Brazil at the Wuhan Sports Centre Gymnasium. Centre Han Xu, a key... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345988/chinas-big-four-back-another-shot-reaching-womens-basketball-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345988/chinas-big-four-back-another-shot-reaching-womens-basketball-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:27 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Mixed martial artist Lone’er Kavanagh has said he would definitely commit to shooting a film with one of Hong Kong’s biggest action stars if such a chance were ever to arise. Fresh off his career-biggest win, over former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno last month, Kavanagh, whose mother is from Hong Kong, also said he enjoyed fighting at places that “felt like home”, including China. The odds were stacked against the 26-year-old, who took the fight on just three weeks’ notice in early... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3345877/mma-fighter-hong-kong-roots-wants-fight-home-make-film-jackie-chan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3345877/mma-fighter-hong-kong-roots-wants-fight-home-make-film-jackie-chan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:26 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Naturalising players, hiring overseas coaches and improving the standard and scale of local basketball could “save” the sport in Hong Kong, players, basketball officials and executives said on Thursday. Earlier this week, the city’s men’s and women’s teams discovered their regional rankings of 26th and 21st respectively were not good enough to get them into the Asian Games in Japan. It will be the first time in more than 30 years that the men have missed the Games. For the women, it would have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3345602/what-now-hong-kong-basketball-naturalised-players-expanded-league-among-suggestions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3345602/what-now-hong-kong-basketball-naturalised-players-expanded-league-among-suggestions?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong’s omission from this year’s Asian Games basketball tournament came as a complete shock, the city’s stunned players said on Tuesday, even though officials knew it might happen. A day after organisers revealed they were cutting the number of men’s teams to a 24-year low of just 12, while leaving the women’s competition at the same number, players from both squads said while they had been left in the dark they were “sad but not surprised”. And sources said the sport’s governing body in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345320/hong-kong-basketball-players-sad-not-surprised-after-learning-about-games-axe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345320/hong-kong-basketball-players-sad-not-surprised-after-learning-about-games-axe?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong will not be sending men’s or women’s basketball teams to this year’s Asian Games in Japan, after organisers slashed the number of teams to the lowest in more than 20 years. And while there was a last-minute reprieve three years ago in Hangzhou, it seems unlikely that will happen this time around, with just 12 teams per gender invited to take part. For the men, who had 16 teams competing in Hangzhou three years ago compared with the women’s 12, it is the smallest field since the 2002... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345166/asian-games-basketball-axe-leaves-hong-kong-teams-outside-looking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345166/asian-games-basketball-axe-leaves-hong-kong-teams-outside-looking?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:00:14 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese table tennis star Sun Yingsha has defended her World Table Tennis (WTT) Singapore Smash title with a hard-earned victory on Sunday. Playing compatriot Wang Manyu in the women’s singles final at The Kallang, world No 1 Sun drew first blood before surviving a 7-0 run by Wang, who is ranked one place below, to also take the second game. Facing a 2-0 deficit and tied at 7-7 in the third game, Wang won four points on a trot to pull one back. The Heilongjiang native then did it again in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345052/sun-yingsha-wins-singapore-smash-third-time-while-wang-chuqin-reclaims-his-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345052/sun-yingsha-wins-singapore-smash-third-time-while-wang-chuqin-reclaims-his-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:00:14 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan South China have long dominated basketball in Hong Kong – now they are finally going to get the chance to test themselves against some of the region’s best. More than a year after winning a 17th domestic title, and over 40 since their previous foray into overseas competition, the club will take part in the qualifying stages of the Basketball Champions League Asia in April. They will not be eased into things either, with three home matches in four days at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai. Starting... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3344866/hong-kong-kingpins-south-china-face-tough-start-return-elite-regional-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3344866/hong-kong-kingpins-south-china-face-tough-start-return-elite-regional-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong tennis star Coleman Wong Chak-lam failed to capitalise on his lucky loser opportunity at the Mexican Open after throwing away a one-set lead in the first round. The world No 125, who reached his career-high ranking after a quarter-final run at the Delray Beach Open in Florida last week, lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to Valentin Vacherot in just under two hours on Monday in Mexico. Held against the backdrop of a wave of violence in Mexico following the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3344436/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-loses-valentin-vacherot-mexican-open-first-round?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3344436/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-loses-valentin-vacherot-mexican-open-first-round?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:14:21 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Scott Pugh said he could now “focus on and do something else with my life” after finally completing the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) last week. Last Wednesday, at a quarter to 4.00pm, Pugh crossed the finish line in Mui Wo before landing that long-awaited kiss on the iconic green postbox, six years after his second failed attempt to conquer the 298-kilometre non-stop ultra-marathon, which covers Hong Kong’s four major trails – MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau – and comes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3344321/proud-hong-kong-4-trails-ultra-challenge-finisher-can-now-do-something-else-my-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3344321/proud-hong-kong-4-trails-ultra-challenge-finisher-can-now-do-something-else-my-life?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese snooker star Zhao Xintong said he was not “thinking too much” about the prospect of retaining his world title in April after winning the Players Championship in England on Sunday. In-form Zhao beat the evergreen John Higgins 10-7 at Telford International Centre to capture his fifth career ranking title. Zhao was also only the 14th player to win back-to-back ranking events on the World Snooker Tour, after his World Grand Prix triumph in Hong Kong a fortnight ago. Aiming to become the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344303/zhao-xintong-attributes-surge-form-mental-prowess-after-winning-players-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344303/zhao-xintong-attributes-surge-form-mental-prowess-after-winning-players-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:33:49 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Decorated Olympian Eileen Gu said she “doesn’t feel any pressure” to win the first gold medal for China at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Gu made the comment after winning silver at the freestyle skiing women’s big air event on Monday. The Chinese star has two silver medals in Italy, after also winning a slopestyle silver last week. The remark is an about-turn for Gu, who earlier said she felt as though she was skiing “with the weight of two countries on my shoulders” after being beaten to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3343810/eileen-gu-doesnt-feel-any-pressure-win-chinas-first-gold-medal-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3343810/eileen-gu-doesnt-feel-any-pressure-win-chinas-first-gold-medal-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong tennis star Coleman Wong Chak-lam continued his strong start at the Delray Beach Open after beating a top 50 player on Monday. Making the main draw after two qualifying round victories over the weekend, Wong, who is ranked No 137 in the world, stunned Nuno Borges of Portugal 2-1 at the Delray Beach Tennis Centre to seal a second round spot. The Delray Beach Open features some of the biggest names in tennis, including Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud and Frances Tiafoe. Wong beat Yoshihito... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3343802/hong-kong-tennis-star-coleman-wong-progresses-second-round-delray-beach-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3343802/hong-kong-tennis-star-coleman-wong-progresses-second-round-delray-beach-open?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:44:49 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese snooker star Zhao Xintong is leaving nothing to chance ahead of this week’s Players Championship, right down to the shirt he plans to wear in his opening clash with Elliot Slessor. Like many athletes, the reigning world champion is superstitious and sported a white shirt throughout his run to the World Grand Prix title in Hong Kong earlier this month. The 28-year-old typically rotates between white and black garments during tournaments, but beat John Higgins in the first round wearing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343712/superstitious-chinese-snooker-star-zhao-xintong-betting-white-keep-hot-streak-going?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343712/superstitious-chinese-snooker-star-zhao-xintong-betting-white-keep-hot-streak-going?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China has unearthed another towering teenage basketball player who can dunk with her feet barely leaving the ground and is being compared to NBA star Victor Wembanyama. At 14 years old, Cao Xichen is reportedly already 7ft 2in (2.20 metres) tall, a height that has forced her to give up volleyball, although that could be her new sport’s gain. While commentators have highlighted some flaws in her basic skills, understandable given she has only been playing the game for a couple of months, the teen... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3343662/meet-chinese-teenager-already-being-compared-nba-star-victor-wembanyama?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3343662/meet-chinese-teenager-already-being-compared-nba-star-victor-wembanyama?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 01:19:25 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Change in local basketball could be on the cards after the announcement earlier this week that the man who had overseen the development of the sport in Hong Kong for more than three decades was stepping down. On Tuesday, the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China (BAHKC), announced that its chairman, Norman Chan Shui-tim, had resigned because of “busy personal affairs”, with executive committee member Chan Chi-hung elected as his successor until 2027. “It’s not reasonable for one person to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3343309/hong-kong-basketball-chairman-norman-chan-steps-down-after-35-years-helm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3343309/hong-kong-basketball-chairman-norman-chan-steps-down-after-35-years-helm?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan World champion snooker star Zhao Xintong admitted he is still learning about the game after adding the Hong Kong World Grand Prix title to his name. Nine months and 12 ranking tournaments after becoming the first player from China to win the World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield, Zhao beat compatriot Zhang Anda 10-6 at Kai Tak Arena to claim his fourth career ranking title on Sunday. Speaking exclusively to the South China Morning Post a day later, Zhao said he was “only at 40 per... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3342908/china-star-zhao-xintong-says-he-still-learning-after-winning-world-grand-prix-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3342908/china-star-zhao-xintong-says-he-still-learning-after-winning-world-grand-prix-title?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Zhao Xintong maintained his perfect finals record after edging past fellow Chinese Zhang Anda 10-6 to clinch the World Grand Prix title in Hong Kong on Sunday. The win marked Zhao’s fifth title – ranking and non-ranking – in as many final appearances since 2021, after his previous victories at the UK Championship, German Masters, World Snooker Championship and the Riyadh Season Player Championship. “I am very excited right now because it’s my first time playing in such a ranking tournament in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342848/zhao-xintong-wins-world-grand-prix-title-hong-kong-keep-finals-record-intact?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342848/zhao-xintong-wins-world-grand-prix-title-hong-kong-keep-finals-record-intact?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:13:59 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Zhang Anda said he would have preferred playing “in front of more crowds” after edging past fellow Chinese Zhou Yuelong in a nail-biting 6-5 win on Saturday to seal a spot in the World Grand Prix final. Zhang will face compatriot Zhao Xintong at Kai Tak Arena on Sunday after the latter beat Xiao Guodong 6-3 in the second semi-final in the evening. The early afternoon session, in front of roughly 300 spectators – out of a maximum 3,500 under the one-table set-up – saw plenty of brilliant moments... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342777/paltry-hong-kong-crowd-watches-zhang-anda-beat-zhou-yuelong-reach-world-grand-prix-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342777/paltry-hong-kong-crowd-watches-zhang-anda-beat-zhou-yuelong-reach-world-grand-prix-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 12:09:41 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The head of world snooker has said that it was always a challenge to schedule events throughout the season, given the tight, packed calendar. The comments came after claims of “poor scheduling” from some top players during the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong. Earlier this week, English player Kyren Wilson said he felt “disheartened and sad” about the tournament schedule after playing soon after rushing over from a tournament in Germany, before crashing out against Xiao Guodong in the first round... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342653/world-snooker-tour-ceo-defends-scheduling-events-after-player-complaints-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342653/world-snooker-tour-ceo-defends-scheduling-events-after-player-complaints-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:00:15 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese snooker players secured a record-breaking four spots in the World Grand Prix semi-finals in Hong Kong on Friday. In the evening quarter-finals, Zhao Xintong almost threw away his solid 4-1 lead after Englishman Chris Wakelin produced three big breaks of 91, 76 and 118 to force the decider. Two audacious long shots to the corner pocket in the ninth frame gave reigning world champion Zhao a healthy lead before the world No 8 from China eventually ended the frame and the match with a narrow... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342678/xiao-guodong-zone-way-victory-against-si-jiahui-world-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342678/xiao-guodong-zone-way-victory-against-si-jiahui-world-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:51:15 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Xiao Guodong said he was not happy with eliminating his idol Ronnie O’Sullivan after beating the seven-time world champion 5-3 to book a World Grand Prix quarter-final spot on Thursday. Breaks of 144 and 78 gave Xiao a 2-0 lead but O’Sullivan twice drew level to split the first six frames with the world No 10 from Chongqing. Two more 50-plus breaks from Xiao eventually sealed his back-to-back wins over O’Sullivan, after also beating the decorated Englishman at the Champions of Champions in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3342559/xiao-guodong-says-its-complicated-he-knocks-out-ronnie-osullivan-world-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3342559/xiao-guodong-says-its-complicated-he-knocks-out-ronnie-osullivan-world-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:19:41 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan World No 2 and former snooker world champion Kyren Wilson blasted the “poor scheduling” of the World Grand Prix after crashing out in the first round of yet another ranking tournament this season, losing 5-2 to Xiao Guodong in Hong Kong on Tuesday. World No 10 Xiao and Wilson both capitalised on each other’s mistakes in the opening frames but it was the Chinese player who prevailed in the fourth frame to take a 3-1 lead at the break. Wilson, the 2024 world champion, showed resilience to stay in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342221/jet-lag-lack-sleep-no-problem-mark-selby-hong-kongs-world-grand-prix-snooker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342221/jet-lag-lack-sleep-no-problem-mark-selby-hong-kongs-world-grand-prix-snooker?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:00:46 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan This year’s Asian Games has taken on added importance for the region’s squash players after it was made part of the qualification process for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The squash competition will be made up of 32 players in total, with 16 each in the men’s and women’s draw. On Monday, officials said qualification would be determined by the world rankings, success at continental games, and that there would also be a universality place, a host country berth, and a spot to be taken by the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342165/asian-games-gives-hong-kong-squash-pair-unexpected-route-2028-la-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342165/asian-games-gives-hong-kong-squash-pair-unexpected-route-2028-la-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 04:02:44 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Ronnie O’Sullivan will make a rare competitive appearance in Hong Kong this week at the World Grand Prix, but how much more snooker he plays this season entirely depends on whether he feels like it. The Englishman is well-known for his mercurial approach to the game, and having skipped last year’s tournament at Kai Tak Arena, this will be his first official outing in the city since taking up Hong Kong residency in 2024. Fans might even consider themselves lucky, with the seven-time world... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342121/ronnie-osullivan-make-rare-hong-kong-appearance-plans-little-snooker-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342121/ronnie-osullivan-make-rare-hong-kong-appearance-plans-little-snooker-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:30:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Teenager Kai Thompson said he did not feel he had missed out after his first Australian Open Junior Championships came to an abrupt end on Friday, when he lost a one-set lead and crashed out in the quarter-finals. Having advanced to the last eight without dropping a set, following wins over opponents from Greece, Australia and Romania, the Hongkonger faced Kazakhstan’s Zangar Nurlanuly for a place in the semi-finals. But despite taking an early lead, Thompson eventually lost 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 in two... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341763/hongkonger-kai-thompsons-australian-open-adventure-ends-junior-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341763/hongkonger-kai-thompsons-australian-open-adventure-ends-junior-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 03:47:25 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong Eastern’s dream of reaching their first East Asia Super League (EASL) playoffs hangs by a thread heading into their final group match at home next week. Following their 83-74 away loss in Japan to Utsunomiya Brex last week, the city’s only professional basketball team must beat Brex by 10 points or more at Southorn Stadium on Wednesday. The team also have to hope the Japanese B League side beat Taipei Fubon Braves at home a week later, to ensure they advance to the six-team playoffs in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3341704/hong-kong-eastern-basketball-team-face-uphill-task-qualify-first-easl-playoffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3341704/hong-kong-eastern-basketball-team-face-uphill-task-qualify-first-easl-playoffs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:24 +0000 Ada Li,Mike Chan Ada Li,Mike Chan China football bosses have banned 73 people for life, including former Chinese Football Association (CFA) president Chen Xuyuan and ex-national team coach Li Tie, and hit 13 clubs with a range of punishments in its ongoing battle against match-fixing and corruption. On Thursday, officials said another three people had been handed five-year bans for “unlawful acts”, although unlike disgraced pair Li and Chen, who are now behind bars, the trio were not prosecuted. Meanwhile, several clubs,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3341630/china-bans-73-people-all-football-life-will-punish-13-clubs-ahead-2026-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3341630/china-bans-73-people-all-football-life-will-punish-13-clubs-ahead-2026-season?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 04:27:05 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Greg Koenig said it was still too early to worry about one of his top fencers after two-time Olympic champion Cheung Ka-long’s slow start to the season. The decorated left-hander finished No 19 and No 21 at World Cup appearances in Fukuoka in December 2025 and Paris in January 2026, and has reached the podium only twice in 12 competitions since winning Olympic gold at the Grand Palais in Paris 18 months ago. A red card and a second-round exit at the regional championships last June were followed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341390/hong-kong-fencing-coach-greg-koenig-backs-cheung-ka-long-regain-form-after-slow-start?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341390/hong-kong-fencing-coach-greg-koenig-backs-cheung-ka-long-regain-form-after-slow-start?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:00:13 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong’s tennis figurehead has resigned from his position after just eight months in the role. Previously Finland’s national coach, Steven Host reported to the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA) as the director of player development, and the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) as a head coach. Sources told the Post that Host “failed to execute the association’s directions”. Hong Kong tennis chief, Michael Cheng Ming-git, acknowledged Host’s work and said there was “more structure and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341268/hong-kong-tennis-head-quits-after-8-months-he-failed-execute-associations-direction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341268/hong-kong-tennis-head-quits-after-8-months-he-failed-execute-associations-direction?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:30:11 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The mastermind behind two men’s foil individual Olympic gold medals and one world title said he was confident about the future of the sport in the city after their recent World Cup success in Paris. Greg Koenig, Hong Kong’s foil team head coach, also said the abundant wealth of young fencers at his disposal was part of the reason for his wanting to stay at the helm for a longer time. Reflecting on the Paris World Cup, which saw world No 1 Ryan Choi Chun-yin finish second individually and the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340830/hong-kongs-abundance-young-fencing-talent-gives-coach-greg-koenig-optimism-future?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340830/hong-kongs-abundance-young-fencing-talent-gives-coach-greg-koenig-optimism-future?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:00:13 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong’s tennis chief said he believes the city will continue to receive court dimension waivers to host the men’s professional tour for the foreseeable future. Victoria Park Tennis Court, the venue for the WTA and ATP 250 events in the city, had been enjoying waivers from ATP for insufficient space, given that centre court was 0.45 metres x 1.42 metres narrower than stipulated by the men’s tennis governing body. ATP requires that any centre court shall not be smaller than 66 feet (20.11... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340579/hong-kongs-tennis-chief-confident-about-future-status-atp-tournament-victoria-park?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340579/hong-kongs-tennis-chief-confident-about-future-status-atp-tournament-victoria-park?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:34:41 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong's best half-marathon finishers said they hoped to have given their Asian Games dreams a boost on Sunday, despite neither winning their respective races. China’s Chen Yufan won the men’s 13.1 mile run at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in one hour, seven minutes and 56 seconds, while Rachel See, a last-minute entry from Singapore, crossed the line in 1:20:56. Gi Ka-man was the first Hongkonger over the line, claiming third place in 1:09:32, 12 seconds behind Taiwan’s Hsu... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340307/hong-kong-pair-hope-half-marathon-finishes-can-give-their-asian-games-dreams-boost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340307/hong-kong-pair-hope-half-marathon-finishes-can-give-their-asian-games-dreams-boost?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 09:30:12 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Snooker in Hong Kong will have a home at Kai Tak Arena for the next four years, organisers of the World Grand Prix said on Friday, although whether Ronnie O’Sullivan makes an appearance is still in doubt. The mercurial Englishman skipped last year’s tournament in the city, and although he is on the list of the top 32 players expected to compete at Hong Kong’s newest venue, he has withdrawn from this week’s Masters on medical grounds. Still, the likes of defending champion Neil Robertson,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340170/world-snooker-grand-prix-will-have-kai-tak-home-until-2029-will-osullivan-ever-come?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340170/world-snooker-grand-prix-will-have-kai-tak-home-until-2029-will-osullivan-ever-come?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:32:25 +0000 Paul McNamara,Mike Chan Paul McNamara,Mike Chan Coleman Wong Chak-lam has not given up on his hopes of entering the main draw at the Australian Open, despite being beaten by Elias Ymer in the final qualifying round on Thursday. Hongkonger Wong lost to the experienced Swede 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 15 minutes at Melbourne Park, failing to manage a third win in three days following straight-set victories over Ugo Blanchet and Pablo Llamas Ruiz in his opening qualifiers. James Allemby, Wong’s coach, said the 21-year-old was downcast after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339971/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-falls-final-australian-open-hurdle-loses-ymer-3-sets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339971/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-falls-final-australian-open-hurdle-loses-ymer-3-sets?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:41:13 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan After a tough start to her 2026 season, American-Chinese teenager Jaelyn Liu believes this is the year to learn what it takes to become a force in the fencing world. The 16-year-old burst onto the stage in Hong Kong a year ago, becoming the youngest winner of an individual foil World Cup event in the sport’s history. Defending her title last weekend, the best the United States team member could manage was 20th, to go along with her 35th-place finishes in previous legs in Mallorca and Busan. It... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3339581/american-chinese-teen-fencer-liu-ready-overcome-tough-start-year-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3339581/american-chinese-teen-fencer-liu-ready-overcome-tough-start-year-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:21 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Ryan Choi Chun-yin added team gold to his individual silver at the Foil World Cup stop in Paris, as Hong Kong got their 2026 off to a flying start on Sunday. A 45-38 victory over the United States, ranked second in the world, in the final completed a day when the city’s men swept aside all before them. “I’m extremely happy to have won this gold medal with the team; we have such a strong team to begin the season with,” said Choi, who remained at the top of the latest world rankings, which were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3339533/hong-kong-claim-foil-team-gold-paris-world-cup-young-guns-leading-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3339533/hong-kong-claim-foil-team-gold-paris-world-cup-young-guns-leading-way?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 03:11:35 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The United States’ women are already preparing to defend their Olympic foil team gold in Los Angeles in 2028, head coach Ralf Bissdorf said on Sunday, after his young side finished third in the World Cup event in Hong Kong. Defeat to France in the semi-finals kept the Americans outside the top two for the first time this season. In contrast, Italy, silver medallists in Paris last summer, claimed their third consecutive team title in as many months, thrashing their European neighbours 45-22 to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339514/us-women-sacrifice-hong-kong-fencing-title-bid-olympic-gold-already-their-sights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339514/us-women-sacrifice-hong-kong-fencing-title-bid-olympic-gold-already-their-sights?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:00:22 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Leading Hong Kong fencer Ryan Choi Chun-yin got his new year off to a great start by pocketing silver at the FIE Men’s Foil World Cup in Paris on Saturday. Having won gold in another World Cup outing in Fukuoka in December, the world No 1 picked up where he left off by beating a pair of Japanese fencers in Yudai Nagano and Kazuki Iimura, as well as Russian Aleksandr Kerik, who was competing without a flag, to set up a quarter-final clash against Filippo Macchi of Italy. Reigning world champion... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339475/hong-kongs-top-fencer-ryan-choi-gets-year-solid-start-foil-world-cup-silver?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339475/hong-kongs-top-fencer-ryan-choi-gets-year-solid-start-foil-world-cup-silver?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 03:29:20 +0000 Mike Chan,Paul McNamara Mike Chan,Paul McNamara Alexander Bublik said he missed “the easy matches” from the professional tour of five years ago, after he resisted a second-set fightback from world No 406 Jerry Shang Juncheng in their Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open quarter-final on Friday. The Kazakh won 6-1, 7-6 in one hour and 25 minutes to book a semi-final clash with Marcos Giron of America. Bublik raced into a 5-0 lead and, after Shang finally got on the board following a sixth game of six deuces, wrapped up the set in 28... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339393/jerry-shang-casts-doubt-hong-kong-return-kazakh-conqueror-rues-loss-easy-matches?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339393/jerry-shang-casts-doubt-hong-kong-return-kazakh-conqueror-rues-loss-easy-matches?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:26:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong’s men have failed in their bid to qualify for next year’s World Lacrosse Championship after slipping to a 10-6 loss to hosts New Zealand in the Asia-Pacific Championship on Friday. Victory in Wellington would have earned Hong Kong a spot in the semi-finals, and with Japan, who beat South Korea 18-7 in their play-in encounter, also going through to the last four, all the semi-finalists have reached the global tournament in Japan. The result ends Hong Kong’s run at the World... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339261/hong-kongs-men-fall-short-bid-reach-2027-world-lacrosse-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339261/hong-kongs-men-fall-short-bid-reach-2027-world-lacrosse-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 03:18:19 +0000