Asian Games 2023: Hong Kong hit 50 medals and counting as team’s historic tally mounts
- Cyclist Yang Qianyu’s gold in women’s road race helps city reach new heights, even if its footballers can no longer top the podium
- ‘We are exhilarated and thrilled,’ sports minister Kevin Yeung says after Hong Kong’s previous best Games haul is surpassed
Hong Kong’s athletes reached a half-century of medals at the Asian Games on Wednesday, and with more set to follow, the best performance in the city’s history is poised to get even better.
Cyclist Yang Qianyu’s historic gold – the city’s seventh in Hangzhou but first ever in the women’s road race – helped take the delegation’s total number past the previous best of 46, set in Jakarta five years ago, while three bronze in squash and another in bridge made it 50 overall.
With squash player Chan Sin-yuk in the women’s singles final, Grace Lau Mo-sheung beginning her bid for a medal in karate and the men’s cycling road race all taking place on Thursday, there is still a chance Hong Kong could pass the eight golds won in 2018.
Hong Kong may yet add a bronze in men’s football to the 28 already amassed. Their historic run ended in a 4-0 defeat in the semi-finals on Wednesday night at the hands of Japan, and they will face Uzbekistan this weekend for the third time in two weeks with a medal at stake.
After a day when the city’s athletes made history, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said: “Driven by her unyielding spirit, Yang Qianyu remained calm during the competition and gained victory. We are exhilarated and thrilled. The Hong Kong, China delegation has been attaining remarkable achievements. We fully support Hong Kong athletes to continue to strive for excellent results.”
