Hong Kong squash stars Annie Au and Max Lee aim for medals at Asian Championships
Number one seed hopes to live up to his top billing, while Annie Au defends her title in the women's section
Hong Kong's men have been conspicuous by their absence from the podium at the Asian Individual Championships for nearly two decades, but there is renewed hope the situation is about to change.
Faheem Khan was the last Hong Kong player to mount the rostrum when he won silver in 1996, having claimed gold in the same event in 1992.
In previous years I was an underdog. Now I become a target for others
The city's current best male player, Max Lee Ho-yin, ranked 17th in the world, is the team's medal hope when the championships take place in Kuwait next month, as he is seeded No 1.
"This is my first time to be top seed," said Lee, who's best result at the championships came last year when he reached the quarter-finals.
"In previous years I was an underdog. Now I become a target for others," said Lee, who won a men's singles bronze medal at last year's Incheon Asian Games.
"I know there is added pressure this time around and I hope I can make the necessary mental adjustments in the upcoming matches. I want to play with the heart of a challenger, like I did in the past."
Lee will be joined by another core player, Leo Au Chun-ming, as well as debutants Yip Tsz-fung and Wong Chi-him.
