https://www.scmp.com/rss/95/feed All the latest sports news, fixtures, match reports, features and analysis. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ada Li Ada Li Hong Kong men’s lacrosse head coach believes “the future is bright” for the sport in the city after his team won gold and the women’s squad claimed silver at the 2026 Asian Lacrosse Games in Chengdu. Taking charge of his first tournament, Kevin Crowley was satisfied with the team’s overall performance and the 12-9 victory over China in the final. “This is a very good team. Our coaching staff introduced new tactical concepts and asked some players to take on different roles and they all fully... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351489/hong-kong-mens-lacrosse-head-coach-believes-future-bright-sport-after-winning-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351489/hong-kong-mens-lacrosse-head-coach-believes-future-bright-sport-after-winning-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:30:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Weakened physically and mentally by the injuries she sustained in a heavy crash last weekend, Ceci Lee Sze-wing ended her UCI Track World Cup campaign on a subdued note in Malaysia on Sunday night. The Hongkonger finished 11th in her treasured omnium discipline, as Anita Stenberg repeated her success from last month’s opening leg in Perth. Still bearing the vivid scars from her tumble in the Hong Kong-staged second leg seven days earlier, Lee was up against it in Nilai after finishing down in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351497/injury-quashes-hong-kong-star-ceci-lees-uci-track-world-cup-hopes-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351497/injury-quashes-hong-kong-star-ceci-lees-uci-track-world-cup-hopes-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:15:32 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney The record number of tourists who descended on Sha Tin on Sunday were treated to another dominant display from superstar Ka Ying Rising, music from a K-pop star and a race meeting Jockey Club chief Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges called one of the “best ever in Hong Kong”. On a day when the city’s elite proved more than a match for the rest, the 13,000 visitors who made the trip from mainland China watched the horse considered the best sprinter there is take an incredible 20th consecutive victory,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351494/record-tourist-numbers-flock-one-best-race-meetings-ever-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351494/record-tourist-numbers-flock-one-best-race-meetings-ever-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:37:27 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Romantic Warrior turned away some of the world’s best horses with disdain to claim a record-extending fourth win in the Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday as he continued to etch his name in Hong Kong racing folklore. The Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained global star looked to have his biggest test yet in facing Japan’s rising force Masquerade Ball and France’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) winner Sosie, but there was barely a moment’s worry for his legion of supporters at Sha... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351490/danny-shum-lauds-super-champion-romantic-warrior-after-record-extending-fourth-qeii-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351490/danny-shum-lauds-super-champion-romantic-warrior-after-record-extending-fourth-qeii-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:42:24 +0000 Olivia O'Sullivan Olivia O'Sullivan My Wish delivered a first Group One victory for both himself and Mark Newnham in Hong Kong when taking out Sunday’s Champions Mile at Sha Tin. Newnham secured the elite-level triumph in just his third season training in the jurisdiction, after recording four Group Ones victories in Australia. It was another addition to what has been a brilliant season for the handler, who won last month’s Hong Kong Derby with Invincible Ibis. My Wish had begun the season with Group Two and Group Three triumphs,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351487/my-wish-delivers-first-group-one-hong-kong-mark-newnham-champions-mile-victory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351487/my-wish-delivers-first-group-one-hong-kong-mark-newnham-champions-mile-victory?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:47:55 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Hong Kong completed a grand slam of the Group One races on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, with Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior and My Wish all beating off overseas challenges in style. In the big race of the day, the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize, trainer David Hayes cut a relieved figure after Ka Ying Rising took down his own track record once again, despite his rider Zac Purton coasting home in the closing stages. It was a victory with all the swagger and arrogance of a superstar... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351484/ka-ying-rising-romantic-warrior-my-wish-complete-hong-kong-clean-sweep-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351484/ka-ying-rising-romantic-warrior-my-wish-complete-hong-kong-clean-sweep-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:33:16 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney David Hayes hailed Ka Ying Rising “one of the best horses I’ve ever seen” and “one of the all-time greats” after the champion sprinter smashed his own track record again in a 20th consecutive victory in Sunday’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m). Extending his record win streak with consummate ease, Ka Ying Rising exploded clear to beat Japan’s top sprinter Satono Reve by four-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:07.10 – 0.02 seconds quicker than his track record set earlier this month. “In the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351483/david-hayes-hails-ka-ying-rising-one-best-horses-ive-ever-seen-after-chairmans-sprint-prize-romp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351483/david-hayes-hails-ka-ying-rising-one-best-horses-ive-ever-seen-after-chairmans-sprint-prize-romp?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:13:25 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Sabastian Sawe broke the two-hour mark for the first time in history on Sunday in winning the London Marathon as Tigst Assefa smashed her own women’s-only world record. Kenya’s defending champion Sawe was locked in a tight battle with Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in the closing stages but surged clear to cross the line in one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. Kejelcha, running his first-ever marathon, also dipped under two hours, with a time of 1:59:41, with Uganda’s Jacob Kiplomo third... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3351482/sabastian-sawe-breaks-two-hour-barrier-win-london-marathon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3351482/sabastian-sawe-breaks-two-hour-barrier-win-london-marathon?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:03:52 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Hong Kong secured their second medal at the Asian Beach Games in Sanya on Sunday, after the men’s 12‑strong 400m dragon boat team claimed bronze following a dramatic race for the line. On the sixth day of competition in Hainan Island, the city crew clocked 1 minute and 40.188 seconds in the grand final on the Sanya River, coming home just 0.022 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Chinese Taipei, who clocked 1:40.210. China took gold in 1:34.990, with silver going to Thailand, who managed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351474/hong-kong-claim-second-medal-dramatic-dragon-boat-race-asian-beach-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351474/hong-kong-claim-second-medal-dramatic-dragon-boat-race-asian-beach-games?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:00:30 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Ka Ying Rising added another chapter to his storied racing CV and the global racing elite joined K-pop stars, local celebrities and visitors from across the world on Sunday at one of Hong Kong’s biggest race days of the season. Such was the excitement at FWD Champions Day that seats surrounding the parade ring at Sha Tin Racecourse were full nearly an hour before performances by Mamamoo’s Hwasa and local artist Pakho Chau, as fans waited with support boards and crown headbands. Chau opened the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351468/ka-ying-rising-global-racing-elite-and-k-pop-converge-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351468/ka-ying-rising-global-racing-elite-and-k-pop-converge-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:21:04 +0000 Olivia O'Sullivan Olivia O'Sullivan Ka Ying Rising annihilated his rivals to secure a record-extending 20th victory in an exhilarating edition of the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on Sunday. The world’s highest-rated sprinter knocked 0.02 seconds off his own previous mark to secure a record time of one minute 07.10 seconds. Zac Purton was once again on board the David Hayes-trained super-sprinter, winning his ninth Group One and taking his prize money to more than HK$150 million. After sitting off the pace set by... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351464/ka-ying-rising-annihilates-rivals-he-secures-20th-consecutive-win-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351464/ka-ying-rising-annihilates-rivals-he-secures-20th-consecutive-win-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 07:01:45 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Ryan Choi Chun-yin hailed a “breakthrough for fencing” after his fabulous comeback victory over Miles Chamley-Watson crowned the inaugural World Fencing League (WFL) in front of a sold-out Los Angeles crowd on Sunday. The brainchild of American 2016 Olympic foil team bronze medallist Chamley-Watson, the WFL was designed to propel fencing “onto the global stage all year round”, while swelling competitors’ earnings and drawing audiences closer to the sport. Reigning foil world champion Choi’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351454/hong-kongs-ryan-choi-shines-los-angeles-world-fencing-league-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351454/hong-kongs-ryan-choi-shines-los-angeles-world-fencing-league-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 04:27:42 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia successfully defended the AFC Champions League Elite crown after beating first-time finalists Machida Zelvia of Japan 1-0 on Saturday. It took an extra-time goal from Saudi international striker Firas Al-Burikan to settle a bad-tempered final in front of 60,000 mainly Al-Ahli fans in Jeddah. Al-Ahli played with 10 men for almost an hour but Machida were unable to make the advantage count. “It’s amazing,” said Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez, who won the UEFA Champions League... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351451/saudi-pif-owned-al-ahli-beat-japanese-rivals-afc-champions-league-elite-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351451/saudi-pif-owned-al-ahli-beat-japanese-rivals-afc-champions-league-elite-history?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 03:19:24 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse When Paddy Dwyer arrived in China in 1976, crowds jostled to catch a glimpse of him and his companions: the first Western football team to play in the country. China at the time was emerging from the tumult of the Cultural Revolution, and on the brink of market reforms that would take the country from economic stagnation to explosive growth. “All we could see was lines of people running beside our bus, trying to look in the windows, to see their first visual of a white person,” Dwyer said. On... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351410/irish-footballers-return-china-50-years-after-historic-tour-akin-going-moon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351410/irish-footballers-return-china-50-years-after-historic-tour-akin-going-moon?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:13 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Jay Rooney COOL BOY - R6 (5) Comes out of a strong form race last start and can swoop from a wide gate   Owen Goulding POWER OF VITAM - R8 (3) Had excuses when thundering home latest and has plenty of upside   Olivia O'Sullivan LOVERO - R10 (5) Rejuvenated since joining Crawford, Purton stays on, looks a big hope   Phillip Woo WINNING OVATION - R11 (5) Has returned in terrific form and has the tools to head higher   Shannon (Vincent Wong) AEROINVINCIBLE - R8 (10) Has sterling 1,400m form and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351435/scmp-best-bets-winning-ovation-can-be-crowd-pleaser-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351435/scmp-best-bets-winning-ovation-can-be-crowd-pleaser-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:45:07 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang For Hong Kong driver Denise Yeung, the prospect of facing 75 minutes and around 728 corners, with the heaviest ones requiring a 110kg stomp on the brake pedal, has marked the realisation of a decade-long dream through physical exertion unimaginable for most. The real estate professional, who is in her 50s, will become the first Chinese woman to compete in the Road to Le Mans series in France from June 10 to 12 – but she refuses to be limited by any one identity. Founded in 1923, the Le Mans... https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3351429/hong-kongs-denise-yeung-become-first-chinese-woman-compete-road-le-mans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3351429/hong-kongs-denise-yeung-become-first-chinese-woman-compete-road-le-mans?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:00:48 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior headline Sunday’s FWD Champions Day meeting at Sha Tin when the Hong Kong champions bid to extend their unbeaten records this season and repel a strong overseas contingent. First and second in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2026 so far, Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior will be short-priced favourites to win the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) and Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) respectively at the city’s second-biggest race day on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351427/star-gallopers-ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-headline-exciting-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351427/star-gallopers-ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-headline-exciting-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 11:01:38 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang The president of the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) has reportedly disappeared after disciplinary authorities started an investigation into his conduct at the association. Zhang Jun, a two-time Olympic mixed doubles champion, has not been heard from for more than ten days and missed the start of the Chinese men’s and women’s national teams competing at the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Denmark on Friday. According to a recent story by a Chinese newspaper, several insiders revealed that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3351414/chinas-badminton-chief-fails-attend-finals-denmark-whereabouts-remain-mystery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3351414/chinas-badminton-chief-fails-attend-finals-denmark-whereabouts-remain-mystery?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:30:07 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Derek Leung Ka-chun is counting his blessings as he gears up for huge Group One rides on Lucky Sweynesse and Numbers at Sunday’s FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin. The 37-year-old has tasted Group One glory on two occasions, winning the 2017 Hong Kong Mile on Beauty Generation and the 2024 Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) on Victor The Winner, but a Group One Champions Mile success on Lucky Sweynesse would perhaps eclipse both in terms of popularity. The Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained galloper, who won... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351413/derek-leung-feeling-lucky-he-prepares-ride-group-one-pair-lucky-sweynesse-and-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351413/derek-leung-feeling-lucky-he-prepares-ride-group-one-pair-lucky-sweynesse-and-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 08:00:28 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Jim Furyk was named United States captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup on Friday by the PGA of America, tasking him with obtaining the first US triumph in Europe since 1993. Furyk was selected after 15-time major winner Tiger Woods withdrew from consideration for the job following his March 27 arrest on suspicion of DUI charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Woods has stepped away from golf and travelled to Europe for treatment. That sets the stage for Furyk to take charge of the Americans for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3351398/jim-furyk-returns-usa-captain-2027-ryder-cup-after-tiger-woods-steps-away-golf?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3351398/jim-furyk-returns-usa-captain-2027-ryder-cup-after-tiger-woods-steps-away-golf?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:00:26 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Andrew Wright struggled to interpret the significance of Hong Kong claiming aquathlon silver from the Asian Beach Games on Saturday, but acknowledged his satisfaction that “we are one of the few sports that consistently delivers” for the city. Currently in Yunnan province in mainland China for an altitude camp with leading triathlete Oscar Coggins, head coach Wright monitored from afar as Bailee Brown, Wong Tsz-to, Hilda Choi Yan-yin and Mark Yu Shing-him combined to break Hong Kong’s medal duck... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351405/hong-kong-claim-first-asian-beach-games-medal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351405/hong-kong-claim-first-asian-beach-games-medal?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 06:15:31 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Reigning two-time French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz said on Friday he will not play at this year’s tournament as he recovers from a wrist injury. The Spaniard said the call to shut down his clay season was made after he received the results of tests on his right wrist, also ruling him out of the Italian Open. “We have decided that the most prudent thing to do is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros,” Alcaraz said on social media. “This is a difficult time for me, but I’m... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3351396/reigning-two-time-champion-carlos-alcaraz-miss-french-open-wrist-injury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3351396/reigning-two-time-champion-carlos-alcaraz-miss-french-open-wrist-injury?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 05:00:07 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney For a brief moment in December’s Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m), Hugh Bowman thought he was a chance of ending champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising’s winning streak aboard Helios Express. “Mid-race I sort of thought I was travelling so well, I had the track bias in my favour and I started to think I’m going to blouse down the outside and win at the 500m mark,” Bowman said. “Of course, he battled home for fifth. It was probably his worst result since he’s raced against Ka Ying Rising.” That... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351399/hugh-bowman-wont-change-helios-express-usual-pattern-latest-clash-ka-ying-rising?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351399/hugh-bowman-wont-change-helios-express-usual-pattern-latest-clash-ka-ying-rising?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 04:32:42 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press One of two men who helped carry a fellow runner across the finish line of the Boston Marathon said he had been struggling earlier himself but drew strength from the supportive crowd. “If I had to go farther, I would have,” Aaron Beggs said in an interview on Thursday. “It’s fight or flight, and I decided to fight and help him get to our destination.” Beggs, of Northern Ireland, and Robson De Olivera, of Brazil, sprang into action on Monday when Ajay Haridasse collapsed about 300m from the end of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/article/3351371/natural-instinct-says-man-who-helped-fellow-runner-across-boston-marathon-finish-line?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/article/3351371/natural-instinct-says-man-who-helped-fellow-runner-across-boston-marathon-finish-line?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 03:00:28 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Were it not for being expressly told that his uncooperative body would no longer allow him to play rugby, Anthony Watson would still be electrifying audiences in the autumn of a stellar career. Capped 56 times by England and a World Cup finalist in 2019, Watson was 30 when he succumbed last year to the back injury that had plagued him for the previous 12 months. It would be understandable if he harboured more than a trace of regret but for Watson the “clean break” from life as an exceptional... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3351360/ex-england-star-anthony-watson-backs-hong-kong-show-they-belong-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3351360/ex-england-star-anthony-watson-backs-hong-kong-show-they-belong-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:20 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara A “stressed” and sleep-deprived Ceci Lee Sze-wing failed to add to her three-medal 2026 UCI Track World Cup collection on Friday, coming home seventh in the elimination race on the opening day of the final leg in Malaysia. The 24-year-old claimed bronze from the same discipline in last month’s opening meeting in Perth, and again when Hong Kong staged leg two last week. It is a measure of Lee’s mental and physical growth over the past two years that she was disappointed to be the 17th of 23... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351374/stressed-hongkonger-ceci-lee-finishes-outside-medals-world-cup-opening-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351374/stressed-hongkonger-ceci-lee-finishes-outside-medals-world-cup-opening-day?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:35:09 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Fifa’s resale site has four tickets on sale for the World Cup final for just under US$2.3 million each. The $2,299,998.85 seats for the July 19 match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, are located behind a goal in the lower deck in block 124, row 45, seats 33-36. Fifa does not control the asking prices on its Resale/Exchange Marketplace but takes a 15 per cent purchase fee from the buyer of each ticket and a 15 per cent resale fee from the seller. An aisle seat 33 in block 146,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351367/4-tickets-world-cup-final-are-listed-fifas-resale-site-more-us2-million-each?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351367/4-tickets-world-cup-final-are-listed-fifas-resale-site-more-us2-million-each?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:00:19 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has agreed to begin discussions towards shifting the year of the Asian Games to an odd-numbered year, the year before the Summer Olympics, at a board meeting earlier this week in Sanya, China where the Asian Beach Games are being held. If approved, the 2030 Games in Doha, which were originally scheduled to run from November 4 to 19 that year, and Riyadh’s 2034 edition would move to 2031 and 2035, respectively. The 20th edition of the Games, Aichi-Nagoya Games... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3351354/olympic-council-asia-discuss-holding-asian-games-odd-numbered-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3351354/olympic-council-asia-discuss-holding-asian-games-odd-numbered-years?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:00:13 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Less than half of the record-breaking 11-strong Chinese contingent at the World Snooker Championship main draw have survived the opening round, and two of those left standing are poised for a blockbuster clash in front of a whopping global audience on Friday. The second-round match-up between reigning champion Zhao Xintong and trailblazer Ding Junhui is set to be a clash of the generations, one that could draw the biggest television audience in snooker history. The best-of-25-frames contest will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3351350/world-snooker-championship-zhao-xintong-ding-junhui-clash-set-break-tv-viewing-records?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3351350/world-snooker-championship-zhao-xintong-ding-junhui-clash-set-break-tv-viewing-records?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:12 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Italian football legend Christian Vieri has said that a country with his pedigree should always qualify for the World Cup, after enduring yet another disappointment last month when the Azzurri missed out on their third consecutive finals. Following their loss on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a European play-off, Italy have now failed to qualify for the three consecutive World Cups in Russia, Qatar and the coming one in the United States, Canada and Mexico. They had also failed to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351296/italy-are-too-big-football-country-keep-missing-world-cups-says-ex-striker-vieri?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351296/italy-are-too-big-football-country-keep-missing-world-cups-says-ex-striker-vieri?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:00:22 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Iran’s footballers will be welcome at this year’s World Cup, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday, distancing the United States government from a proposal that Italy could take their place in the tournament. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Rubio denied that Washington had asked the Iranian team not to come to the World Cup, but warned that the US may yet bar entry to members of the Iranian delegation it judged to have ties to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351276/us-says-iran-players-welcome-world-cup-distances-itself-envoys-italy-proposal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351276/us-says-iran-players-welcome-world-cup-distances-itself-envoys-italy-proposal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:00:18 +0000 Olivia O'Sullivan Olivia O'Sullivan Champion jockey Christophe Lemaire is looking forward to the “exciting challenge” of taking on Romantic Warrior when he lines up against him aboard Masquerade Ball in Sunday’s highly anticipated Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin. Lemaire believes Masquerade Ball has the potential to become “one of the greatest in Japanese horse racing” after proving himself on home soil against top-class horses as a three-year-old when winning the Group One Tenno Sho last November. The Frenchman, who is an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351286/christophe-lemaire-eager-masquerade-balls-exciting-challenge-against-romantic-warrior?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351286/christophe-lemaire-eager-masquerade-balls-exciting-challenge-against-romantic-warrior?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:29:32 +0000 Reuters Reuters New Zealand will bid farewell to one of ⁠⁠its cricketing greats when ⁠⁠all-rounder Suzie Bates calls time on ⁠⁠her international career at the end of the White Ferns’ T20 World Cup campaign in England. The record-breaking 38-year-old confirmed on Friday she will retire following the summer tournament after 20 years at the highest level. If Bates has her way, she will bow out ‌‌with back-to-back T20 World Cup titles, having celebrated a long-awaited maiden championship in the United Arab Emirates... https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3351252/new-zealand-cricket-great-suzie-bates-aiming-bow-out-world-cup-high?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3351252/new-zealand-cricket-great-suzie-bates-aiming-bow-out-world-cup-high?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:08:57 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Japan’s Machida Zelvia shared their clubhouse with senior citizens doing fitness classes less than a decade ago. Now they are one win away from being Asian champions. The team from the Tokyo suburbs will look to complete their remarkable transformation from non-league nobodies to continental conquerors when they face Saudi Arabia’s defending champions Al-Ahli in the Asian Champions League final on Saturday in Jeddah. Machida are making their debut in Asia’s top club competition and were playing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351165/afc-champions-league-elite-final-japanese-team-school-coach-cap-remarkable-journey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351165/afc-champions-league-elite-final-japanese-team-school-coach-cap-remarkable-journey?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:18 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Bruised but unbowed, Ceci Lee Sze-wing is steeling herself for another assault on global honours days after she dramatically crashed during her UCI Track World Cup campaign in Hong Kong. An elimination race silver medallist on her home track last Friday, Lee tumbled following a collision while competing in the same discipline as part of the omnium competition two days later. But in Malaysia on Friday, the Hongkonger will be back on her bike and hunting a fourth podium finish from this year’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351163/gutsy-hong-kong-star-ceci-lee-eyeing-more-world-cup-glory-days-after-heavy-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351163/gutsy-hong-kong-star-ceci-lee-eyeing-more-world-cup-glory-days-after-heavy-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:00:12 +0000 Reuters Reuters The suggestion that Iran should be replaced by Italy at this year’s World Cup drew a mix of embarrassment and apathy from Azzurri fans on Thursday, with Italian media pointing out that the idea had a very familiar feel. Donald Trump’s US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times that he made the suggestion to the US President and Fifa head Gianni Infantino. “I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri ‌at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351204/fifa-world-cup-italy-underwhelmed-trump-envoys-suggestion-they-should-replace-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351204/fifa-world-cup-italy-underwhelmed-trump-envoys-suggestion-they-should-replace-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:00:12 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Hong Kong triathlete Bailee Brown produced the city’s best result so far at the 2026 Sanya Asian Beach Games on Thursday, finishing fifth in the women’s individual aquathlon. With athletes tackling a 6km course made up of a 2.5km run, a 1km swim and a final 2.5km run, Brown completed the race at Sanya Bay Photography Base in Hainan in 33 minutes 37 seconds. Teammate Hilda Choi Yan-yin placed eighth in 34:18. China’s Lin Xinyu won gold in 31:34, with Cambodia’s Garabedian Margot Morokot taking... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3351198/asian-beach-games-bailee-brown-produces-hong-kongs-best-finish-so-far-event-returns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3351198/asian-beach-games-bailee-brown-produces-hong-kongs-best-finish-so-far-event-returns?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:41:18 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Mark Newnham is looking to cap off an already “brilliant” season when My Wish and Invincible Ibis break from barriers 10 and five respectively in Sunday’s Group One Champions Mile at Sha Tin. One of three Group One races at Sha Tin, the Champions Mile has a wide-open feel to it, with not much separating a large portion of the 14-strong field. The draw did little to help solve the puzzle, with all the key contenders drawing well enough, including last year’s fourth My Wish, who arrives with a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351134/mark-newnham-happy-enough-my-wish-and-invincible-ibis-draw-10-and-five-champions-mile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351134/mark-newnham-happy-enough-my-wish-and-invincible-ibis-draw-10-and-five-champions-mile?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:30:07 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Former Manchester City player Shaun Wright-Phillips believes Pep Guardiola’s side will treat all their remaining games as “a cup final” and add another crown to their 10 Premier League titles next month. City overtook Arsenal at the top of the table for the first time since August after their 1-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday. However, both sides are level on points and goal difference, with City ahead only on “goals for”. With only five more matches left for both City and Arsenal, Wright-Phillips... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351132/manchester-city-will-wrap-premier-league-going-cup-final-mode-says-ex-star?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351132/manchester-city-will-wrap-premier-league-going-cup-final-mode-says-ex-star?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:00:13 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Connections of Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior head into Sunday’s FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin with supreme confidence as the Hong Kong superstars bid for record-extending Group One victories. The two highest-rated horses in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2026 so far, Ka Ying Rising chases a 20th straight victory in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) while Romantic Warrior will bid to win the Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) for a fourth time. Ka Ying Rising can... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351133/confidence-remains-high-ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-camps-ahead-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351133/confidence-remains-high-ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-camps-ahead-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:00:17 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Hong Kong table tennis star Wong Chun-ting credited his wife with helping to “build a bridge” with mixed doubles partner Doo Hoi-kem after years of poor communication in the beginning. The duo, who are Hong Kong’s most iconic table tennis mixed doubles pair, have won four world bronze medals, finished fourth at the 2024 Paris Olympics and claimed titles at the WTT Champions Doha and WTT Contender Taiyuan events in 2026. Married since 2022 and now father to a three-year-old daughter and a newborn... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351120/hong-kong-table-tennis-star-wong-credits-wife-building-bridge-partner-doo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351120/hong-kong-table-tennis-star-wong-credits-wife-building-bridge-partner-doo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:32:11 +0000 Olivia O'Sullivan Olivia O'Sullivan Voyage Bubble and Sunlight Power have both been cleared to run in Sunday’s Group One Champions Mile at Sha Tin subject to a final inspection, and Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is confident they will put in peak performances. Yiu is eagerly anticipating the run of Voyage Bubble with blinkers on for the first time, while Sunlight Power will benefit from a favourable draw in gate three following a series of wide barriers. Yiu’s pair were in doubt to run after pre-declaration veterinary inspections found they... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351109/voyage-bubble-and-sunlight-power-back-track-run-sundays-champions-mile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351109/voyage-bubble-and-sunlight-power-back-track-run-sundays-champions-mile?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:33:22 +0000 Reuters Reuters Bryson DeChambeau addressed speculation that he could be leaving LIV Golf after this season by pledging, “As long as LIV is here, I ⁠would figure out a way for it to ⁠make sense.” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf, in an interview ⁠published on Wednesday, that he is still working on “a potential contract” as he plays out the final season of his original LIV Golf deal. The circuit is facing questions about its future as rumours circulate that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund may be preparing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3351084/bryson-dechambeau-not-leaving-liv-golf-working-contract-he-plays-out-final-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3351084/bryson-dechambeau-not-leaving-liv-golf-working-contract-he-plays-out-final-season?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:00:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Liam Rosenior was sacked as Chelsea manager after less than four months in charge on Wednesday following a run of five successive Premier League defeats. Beaten seven times in their last eight games in all competitions, Chelsea have failed to even score while losing five consecutive league games for the first time since 1912. The 41-year-old had been lured away from Strasbourg, the French club which is affiliated to Chelsea’s American owners, in January following the departure of Enzo... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351066/chelsea-sack-liam-rosenior-after-less-four-months-following-worst-run-1912?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351066/chelsea-sack-liam-rosenior-after-less-four-months-following-worst-run-1912?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:00:54 +0000 Reuters Reuters A top envoy to ⁠US President Donald Trump has asked Fifa to replace Iran with Italy in the coming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The plan is an effort to repair ‌ties between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against Pope Leo over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter. “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (Fifa president ⁠Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3351060/trump-envoy-seeks-replace-iran-italy-world-cup-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3351060/trump-envoy-seeks-replace-iran-italy-world-cup-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:07:43 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Prominent Australian jockey Ethan Brown made a dream start to his short-term stint in Hong Kong when he guided Shooting To Top to victory at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. In his first meeting in the city, the 11-time Group One winner struck with his third ride when he lifted the heavily-backed Shooting To Top to a narrow win in the Class Four Geranium Handicap (1,650m). “It was great, it’s obviously something we all strive to do – to get the opportunity is one thing, but to get a winner... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351052/ethan-brown-makes-dream-start-hong-kong-stint-happy-valley-win-shooting-top?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351052/ethan-brown-makes-dream-start-hong-kong-stint-happy-valley-win-shooting-top?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:30:26 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Chinese referee Ma Ning remained in Saudi Arabia despite claims on Tuesday that he had been removed from the AFC Champions League Elite tournament following a controversial quarter-final performance. Reports from Saudi Arabia media alleged that Ma was dropped and had left the country after Al-Ittihad’s 1-0 loss to Japanese team Machida Zelvia on Friday in Jeddah. Chinese media Beijing Youth Daily, however, rebutted the report the same day, stating that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351033/chinese-referee-ma-ning-remains-jeddah-after-afc-champions-league-elite-controversy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351033/chinese-referee-ma-ning-remains-jeddah-after-afc-champions-league-elite-controversy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:00:13 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara After the loneliness and long hours of rehabilitation following knee surgery, three-time Olympian Camille Cheng Lily-mei savoured the “humbling” experience of returning to competition alongside a pair of 13-year-olds. Out of the pool since she competed in the 2024 Paris Games, Cheng endured a mentally challenging past 12 months as she recovered from the procedure to repair her right anterior cruciate ligament. “I’ve never had such a big injury and so much time out,” said Cheng, who made a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351029/hong-kong-olympian-camille-cheng-enjoying-sport-again-after-injury-took-mental-toll?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351029/hong-kong-olympian-camille-cheng-enjoying-sport-again-after-injury-took-mental-toll?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:00:15 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Ice hockey player Randy Mak was named Hong Kong’s newest Olympic ambassador and said he plans to use his platform to promote the sport locally and become a role model for young players. Mak was appointed ambassador by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) at their annual dinner. The 19-year-old will represent Hong Kong at the 66th International Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors in Athens, Greece, in June, and he plans to share his experiences from the event... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351018/hong-kongs-first-olympic-ambassador-winter-sports-aims-use-role-promote-ice-hockey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351018/hong-kongs-first-olympic-ambassador-winter-sports-aims-use-role-promote-ice-hockey?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:55:16 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Former Chinese world champion Fang Bo has registered to play for Kazakhstan in WTT events, while Zhang Yudong announced his competitive return on Tuesday. Additionally, in the build-up to the World Team Championships, legendary table tennis players Ma Long and Xu Xin arrived at the national training base in Chengdu to help the team as hitting partners. Fang was first spotted in the ITTF database as a Kazakhstan-registered player before he confirmed his return, clarifying that he retained his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3350985/chinese-table-tennis-player-fang-registers-play-kazakhstan-zhang-announces-return?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3350985/chinese-table-tennis-player-fang-registers-play-kazakhstan-zhang-announces-return?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:55:21 +0000