2024 Paris Olympics: Hong Kong skipper Woodward hoping it’s third time lucky in sevens bid
- Hong Kong are competing in the Asian qualifiers in Japan this weekend with the memories of what might have been still fresh in the mind
- Max Woodward knows this is likely to be his last shot at getting his team to an Olympics
Max Woodward leads Hong Kong’s push this weekend for a place at the Paris Olympics, and is hoping third time proves to be a charm at the Asian qualifiers in Japan.
The 33-year old has led the team since 2015, but said he did not think he would be taking another shot at Games glory after his side’s bitterly disappointing failure in 2019, when they lost 12-7 to South Korea in the final.
Hong Kong have had to rebuild in the intervening years, and Woodward said he was excited to be getting another chance with a new group of players.
“I feel lucky to be involved in the culture of this team day-to-day, and I love seeing the lads around me develop,” he said. “I probably am not as physically spry as I was four years ago, but I am tougher mentally and I want to put things right.
“I am really excited to have a go now, because I probably won’t be here in another four years.”
Hong Kong are the top seeds in Pool B, and will take on the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Thailand on Saturday. Hosts Japan head a tough Pool A with South Korea, China and India.
