Hong Kong Sevens 2024: end of era on and off pitch as Salom Yiu and South Stand approach last hurrah
- Yiu’s 75th sevens tournament appearance for Hong Kong will be his last after playing every edition of his home event since 2010
- South Stand atmosphere is not only for fans but ‘hypes us up too’, he says ahead of final tournament before move to new stadium at Kai Tak
Salom Yiu Kam-shing views his Hong Kong Sevens debut back in 2010 as the beginning of his life as he now knows it.
Hong Kong’s most capped player, Yiu has 74 sevens tournament appearances for the city behind him, and will have his last dance this weekend at his home event, in the final edition to be held in So Kon Po.
“The Sevens at Hong Kong Stadium was really the tournament that kept me playing on all these years,” he said. “It’s a chance to show myself every time I play there.”
Yiu said the home team were always spurred on by the fans’ support and tended to raise their level for the city’s biggest sporting occasion.
“That’s home advantage,” the two-time Asian Games gold medallist said. “There’s this adrenaline rush and a bit of pressure, too, but knowing your family and friends are there watching always gave us an extra push.”
