Global Impact: China delivers at home Asian Games, Hong Kong also shines
- 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
- In this issue, we look back at events at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, which included a series of firsts, including esports making its debut as a medal event
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, support staff and others descended on Hangzhou, and by the time the final gold is awarded in karate, some 490 will have been won, more than 180 of them by the hosts.
If progress is partly measured by medals, then so too is regression, and while the Hong Kong delegation can be rightly proud of its achievements, some sports risk being left behind altogether.
According to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong has spent some HK$7.4 billion (US$945 million) over the past decade on its Sports Institute, and the time is coming for some chits to be called in.
Progress has been a theme running through the most technologically advanced Games ever; from a visually stunning opening ceremony that married the human and virtual, to Alibaba’s cloud supporting its smooth running, driverless busses, cashless venues and mosquito-zapping robots, it would be almost unrecognisable to someone from 20 years ago, let alone from 1950, when the Games first took place.
That goes for sports as well, although the very definition appears to have been stretched to breaking point. Chess, bridge, Go and esports now inhabit a so-called mind sports category.
The hosts winning gold in Dream Three Kingdoms 2, a game created in Hangzhou, could yet change the dynamic again.
Not all progress is good, obviously, and often brings its own challenges. Hong Kong’s athletes have raised the bar, meaning this can only be the most successful Games ever, until the next time.
60-Second Catch-up
Deep dives
Hong Kong chess prodigy, 14, skips year of school for Asian Games dream
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Jamison Kao turns an after-school activity into pursuing his dream of playing against the region’s best at the Asian Games
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Father tips the Hong Kong International School eight-grade student to become the top junior in Asia ‘if he works very hard’
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.
Hong Kong can build industry on back of Asian Games esports silver, official says
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China win encounter in Hangzhou 2-0 in little more than 80 minutes for country’s second esports title
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City’s esports association founder Eric Yeung hails result as a ‘breakthrough moment’
While the pupils are not yet ready to become the masters, Hong Kong’s esports athletes took another big step forwards in their development at the Asian Games on Saturday, winning a silver medal in Hangzhou.
A podium finish on its own was a special achievement for the city’s competitors with the discipline being recognised as an official event for the first time, meaning it took Hong Kong’s overall medal haul to 38.
Hong Kong cyclist Leung to step into coaching role after Asian Games race
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‘It’s time for me to step aside and let the youngsters take over,’ Leung says after finishing men’s road race in 29th place
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Leung Chun-wing warns athletes not to get ahead of themselves after winning six medals in Hangzhou
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.
Hongkongers don’t need foreign coaches to win, Yue says after long jump bronze
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‘I really wanted to prove to everyone that a Hong Kong athlete and a Hong Kong coach can get great results,’ Yue says
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Her city-record leap saw her claim the city’s first Asian Games medal in athletics that did not come on the track
Yue put down a personal best, and new city record of 6.50 metres, to finish third in the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium on Monday, and then took a swipe at former coach Rolf Ohman, from Sweden.
Hong Kong’s Kho aims to sustain golden glow after Hangzhou golf triumph
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Kho leaves Hangzhou for International Series event in Singapore, mindful of the dip in form that followed his previous milestone success
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Fresh from his Asian Games gold and bronze, he has a shot at finishing inside the top 32, bringing an opportunity to compete in LIV Golf promotions
Taichi Kho and Matthew Cheung get back to the day job this week, still riding high from their historic medal-winning performances at the Asian Games.
In the field for the International Series event in Singapore, refocusing is likely to take some doing for the two Hong Kong golfers.
Cyclist Yang to retire, care for sick parents after Asian Games gold
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The 30-year-old cyclist closes out career with surprise gold medal in Hangzhou road race, after silver in Madison and bronze in team pursuit
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Yang, whose father suffered a stroke and mother fell ill in 2021, says ‘I don’t have any more energy for more competitions’
Hong Kong veteran cyclist Yang Qianyu is set to retire on a high note after storming to an unexpected Asian Games gold in the women’s road race on Wednesday.
Just days after winning a team pursuit bronze and a silver in the Madison on the track, the 30-year-old clinched a historic gold in what was her final Games appearance, and potentially the final race of her career.
Asian Games: Hong Kong goalkeeper says government does not value football
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In beating Iran in the quarterfinals Hong Kong make history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time
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‘Hong Kong football has its value, but we need to know how to appreciate this value,’ Tse Ka-wing says
Goalkeeper Tse Ka-wing said Hong Kong must start to value football as a sport and not waste his team’s impressive performances at the Asian Games.
Outstanding between the posts, Tse and a disciplined defence have kept clean sheets in the past two matches against Palestine and Iran.
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.