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Paul McNamara

Landmark victories over Thailand and China have infused Hong Kong’s resurgent women’s rugby sevens team with the belief they can qualify for next year’s Olympic Games.
Andy Vilk’s side beat Thailand 7-5 to claim Asian Games bronze last month, then edged another nail biter when they overcame their mainland adversaries 17-14 in the semi-final of last weekend’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Bangkok.
And while Japan were too strong in the final, Paul John, head of the elite sevens athlete programme at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, said confidence was growing that the women’s team could take the single Olympic spot on offer at next month’s qualification competition in Osaka.

Reaching the final in Bangkok also booked Hong Kong a spot for next year’s second-tier Challenger Series.
“The result against China was absolutely huge and showed how the players have progressed and begun to believe in themselves,” John said.
“They had a taste of the Challenger Series this year, and that ignited their appetite to play on the highest stage possible. The Asian Games bronze was a huge achievement, and if your heads are up and you have confidence, that breeds momentum.
“We have spoken to the girls in the past about not really believing they could beat the top Asian nations. These recent results have to give them the belief they can achieve more. They should not fear anybody.”
Of the team in Bangkok, only Julia Mibuy Mba Oyana was a non-passport holder, making her currently ineligible for Olympic participation.
But John said he was optimistic that the 19-year-old, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the pool-stage victory over Malaysia, and added another against China, could get her passport in time for the qualification tournament on November 19 and 20.
Vilk has been in his role for only two months, and Paris 2024 qualification would complete a formidable treble for the head coach, who has already broken Hong Kong women’s Asian Games medal duck, and overseen progress to a first sevens series final since 2018.

“He has a very good way with the girls, and is very positive in how he coaches,” John said.
“Andy and Peter [Jericevich, coach] are very measured in their preparations, and their attitude has rubbed off on the players. They were calm and confident in Bangkok, and showed what they could do. It was good to see them not panicking [when defending lead against China].”
John relayed more good news in the availability of the “phenomenal” 35-year-old Salom Yiu Kam-shing for the men’s team’s Olympic quest.
Yiu was contemplating his future after Hong Kong retained their Asian Games title in September. He sat out the men’s event in Bangkok, where a team boosted by the return of a handful of non-passport holders strolled to the title - sewing up 2024 Challenger Series qualification in the process.
The desire to reach next year’s Olympics is palpable, after Hong Kong narrowly lost to South Korea for a place at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
“Everybody in the camp knows how much we want to go to the Olympics, but talking about it every day is not going to do anybody any good,” John said.
“They have proved they can beat all these teams, so we just want to prepare them to play at their best. Sevens is a bit of a rollercoaster and a worry - but that is why we love it.”


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Paris 2024 Olympic Games

‘No fear’ for Hong Kong women’s rugby sevens team ahead of Olympic qualifiers, men boosted by talisman Yiu’s availablity

Hong Kong women’s rugby sevens team claimed Asian Games bronze to generate a notable uptick in confidence. Photo: Xinhua

Chong Ka-yan scored the decisive try to beat Thailand in Hangzhou and is now gunning for Paris. Photo: Getty Images 

Paul John (right) heaped praise on head coach Andy Vilk (left) for instilling calm in his team. PhotoLYik Yeung-man

Asia Rugby Sevens Series: Hong Kong’s men win Bangkok leg after women lose final

Hong Kong’s women’s team, pictured in action in the Asian Games bronze final, made it a stage further in Bangkok. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong rugby sevens men’s team crush Koreans again in Asian series – and this time it’s a 60-point thrashing

Harry Sayers (centre) helps Hong Kong beat South Korea in June, and he was at it again on Saturday. Photo: HKRU

Hong Kong won a tense Asiad final against South Korea less than three weeks ago. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong rugby sevens star Doherty on regaining his focus, Asian Games gold, and not getting stressed over Olympics bid

Hong Kong defended their Asian Games crown following an inspired final display from Liam Doherty. Photo: AFP

Liam Doherty scores against South Korea in the final of the Asian Games men’s rugby sevens tournament. Photo: Xinhua

Max Denmark scored the decisive try when Hong Kong beat Japan in a thrill-a-minute semi-final. Photo: SF&OC

Sport

Rugby

Hong Kong Rugby Union

Hong Kong’s in-form women are aiming for Olympic qualification to maintain upward curve plotted since head coach Andy Vilk’s arrival
Men will have evergreen Salom Yiu available when they look to atone for 2020 heartbreak in Japan qualifiers next month


Hong Kong’s women have gained renewed belief and confidence after a pair of potentially game-changing results, with Olympic qualification next on the agenda for Andy Vilk’s upwardly mobile team


Asia Rugby Sevens Series

‘No fear’ for Hong Kong women’s rugby sevens team ahead of Olympic qualifiers, men boosted by talisman Yiu’s availablity

Hong Kong’s in-form women are aiming for Olympic qualification to maintain upward curve plotted since head coach Andy Vilk’s arrival Men will have evergreen Salom Yiu available when they look to atone for 2020 heartbreak in Japan qualifiers next month

Hong Kong’s in-form women are aiming for Olympic qualification to maintain upward curve plotted since head coach Andy Vilk’s arrival

Men will have evergreen Salom Yiu available when they look to atone for 2020 heartbreak in Japan qualifiers next month