https://www.scmp.com/rss/41/feed The latest China sports news, fixtures, results and comment. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse China’s 13-year-old swimming prodigy Yu Zidi has stamped her mark all over the Asian Games and she could cause a sensation at the Los Angeles Olympics in two years’ time. The schoolgirl won all three individual races she swam this week in Tokyo with Asian Games records – a series of performances that belied her tender age. Out of the pool, she has proved herself to be a typical teenager, joking around with teammates and freezing when asked about herself in interviews. She will be 15 when the LA... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368670/chinese-teen-swim-sensation-yu-zidi-set-olympic-stardom-after-golden-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368670/chinese-teen-swim-sensation-yu-zidi-set-olympic-stardom-after-golden-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:33 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Three years is a long time in sport, and all athletes have to deal with ups and downs, but few have quite experienced the challenge that emerging Chinese swimmer Yu Yiting has had to face: the sudden, if not entirely unexpected, rise of her teenage compatriot Yu Zidi. But despite facing some serious challenges from the much younger swimmer, Yu Yiting rediscovered her form just before the Asian Games and took her medal tally in Japan to four on Wednesday, storming back from behind at the turn to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368534/yu-yiting-overcomes-form-dip-and-rise-yu-zidi-defend-her-asian-games-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368534/yu-yiting-overcomes-form-dip-and-rise-yu-zidi-defend-her-asian-games-title?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The sky is the limit for Chinese swimming starlet Yu Zidi after the teenage girl stormed to her maiden Asian Games gold medal on her regional multi-sport games debut on Sunday. Yu powered to the women’s 200 metres butterfly crown, leading from start to finish at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre before touching the wall first in a Games-record time of two minutes and 5.08 seconds, taking over the honour from compatriot Zhang Yufei, who set the time in Hangzhou three years ago. Yu, 13, was already three... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368162/asian-games-200m-butterfly-gold-just-start-chinese-swimming-sensation-yu-zidi-13?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368162/asian-games-200m-butterfly-gold-just-start-chinese-swimming-sensation-yu-zidi-13?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 13:00:11 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong’s women made Asian Games history on Sunday, winning silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay, while China’s contingent dominated the day in the pool from start to finish. Olympian Siobhan Haughey pushed her team, who were in fourth after Gilaine Ma’s opening leg, into second, and Li Sum-yiu and Natalie Kan Cheuk-tung held their position to finish in three minutes, 36.59 seconds, a new Hong Kong record. The previous best of 3:39.10 was set in Hangzhou, where they claimed bronze, as they had... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368152/asian-games-chinas-yu-zidi-caps-golden-debut-record-setting-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368152/asian-games-chinas-yu-zidi-caps-golden-debut-record-setting-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:12:50 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Just one day before the official opening of the Asian Games, chaotic accommodation arrangements have surfaced on the cruise ship hosting athletes in Nagoya, with Chinese table tennis stars including Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin describing living on board as a “unique” experience. On Thursday, the Chinese table tennis team held their first practice session in Nagoya following a rocky arrival that significantly compressed their training and rest schedule. The team also had to quickly adapt to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368045/china-table-tennis-stars-describe-life-asian-games-cruise-ship-unique-experience?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368045/china-table-tennis-stars-describe-life-asian-games-cruise-ship-unique-experience?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse China is emerging as a key target for growth as the International Cricket Council seeks new fans worldwide, its chief executive says. While South Asia accounts for about 90 per cent of cricket’s billion-plus fans, the ICC is seeking to expand the sport’s fan base by 500 million and sees China’s 1.4 billion people as a potentially huge audience – helped by the steady progress of its women’s team. “The continued success of their women’s team has provided a major boost to cricket in the country,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3367959/china-emerges-key-growth-market-icc-bid-expand-cricket-worldwide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3367959/china-emerges-key-growth-market-icc-bid-expand-cricket-worldwide?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:00:06 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has issued a public apology after soiling herself during Hyrox Beijing, admitting she should have stepped off the track while announcing her retroactive withdrawal from the race and forfeiture of her points. The 24-year-old elite athlete completed Saturday’s race covered in faeces after organisers failed to intervene, leaving more than 1,000 subsequent participants to compete on the contaminated track and shared equipment. Wietrzyk previously posted “a win is a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367997/hyrox-beijing-athlete-apologises-china-competitors-after-soiling-herself?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367997/hyrox-beijing-athlete-apologises-china-competitors-after-soiling-herself?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:30:04 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Zheng Qinwen’s sponsors have proved even more excited than her long-awaiting fans, kicking off a new round of commercial campaigns to capitalise on her 69-spot surge to world No 52 after her comeback run at the US Open. Following her amazing comeback victories at the year’s final grand slam event in New York, where she lost only to eventual champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, her sponsors posted celebratory campaigns, competing to highlight their early faith in her resilience. Among... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367927/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-gets-massive-show-sponsor-support-she-surges-rankings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367927/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-gets-massive-show-sponsor-support-she-surges-rankings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:00:06 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Athletes from multiple countries arriving in Japan for the 20th Asian Games were stranded at Nagoya airport because of a technical glitch, leaving some Chinese team members stuck for seven hours without food. According to state media, the plane carrying the country’s delegation from Beijing landed on schedule at around 12.15pm, with buses already waiting at Chubu Centrair International Airport to take them to their accommodation. However, athletes and officials soon found themselves trapped at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367896/asian-games-china-athletes-stuck-nagoya-airport-no-food-way-out-7-hours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367896/asian-games-china-athletes-stuck-nagoya-airport-no-food-way-out-7-hours?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:15:48 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Hyrox China has given full refunds to competitors affected by last weekend’s incident in Beijing, while the global governing body has updated its rule book to allow race directors to remove athletes if they pose a risk to the hygiene of the event. The commercial fitness competition has faced intense public backlash since elite Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk suffered incontinence during the solo women’s event but was allowed to carry on and win. Her mid-race left track surfaces and shared... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367861/hyrox-beijing-athletes-get-full-refund-new-hygiene-rule-will-allow-competitors-be-axed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367861/hyrox-beijing-athletes-get-full-refund-new-hygiene-rule-will-allow-competitors-be-axed?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:04:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Chinese runner Zhao Jiaju became the first athlete to complete the 330km Tor des Géants in under 66 hours on Wednesday, breaking the course record to claim victory in Italy using a “fragmented sleep” strategy. Wearing bib No 1, he crossed the finish line in Courmayeur at 9.55am with a winning time of 65 hours, 55 minutes and 22 seconds, making history as the first Asian competitor to win the event. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most gruelling ultra-trail races, the flagship event offers... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367716/chinese-runner-becomes-first-athlete-complete-330km-tor-des-geants-under-66-hours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367716/chinese-runner-becomes-first-athlete-complete-330km-tor-des-geants-under-66-hours?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:10 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball The MoonPay X Games League will hold its inaugural winter draft this week, ⁠betting that a team-based format and ⁠closer ties with the Olympic movement can build on ⁠strong audience growth for action sports, CEO Jeremy Bloom said. Eileen Gu, the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history with three golds and three silvers, is expected to be selected first overall. The draft follows the debut of the X Games Summer League, which featured teams representing Los Angeles, New York, Sao Paulo... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367699/x-games-league-hold-first-winter-draft-eileen-gu-expected-be-top-pick?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367699/x-games-league-hold-first-winter-draft-eileen-gu-expected-be-top-pick?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:30:05 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang The Chinese Badminton Association has announced, just four days before the start of the Asian Games, that men’s doubles player Chen Boyang had withdrawn because of illness, with He Jiting named as his replacement alongside Liu Yi. On Monday, the association revealed that Chen had suffered a sudden illness. Following consultations between national team doctors and specialists from several hospitals, medical experts confirmed his condition would prevent him from competing. “To protect the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367609/china-team-make-late-change-they-target-7-badminton-gold-medals-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367609/china-team-make-late-change-they-target-7-badminton-gold-medals-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:30:26 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Multiple Olympic freestyle skiing medallist Eileen Gu has urged fans to not ask for pictures while she is training, offering instead to meet supporters at the lodge after her sessions finish. Gu recently returned to Cardrona Alpine Resort in New Zealand for training, where fans took photos of the Chinese superstar and shared them online. On Monday, Gu posted a selfie on social media thanking supporters while issuing a safety reminder. “I’m excited to be back on snow and grateful for all the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367559/chinese-skiing-star-eileen-gu-asks-fans-let-her-finish-training-asking-photos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367559/chinese-skiing-star-eileen-gu-asks-fans-let-her-finish-training-asking-photos?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 07:04:49 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Hyrox co-founder Moritz Furste has apologised for the events in Beijing over the weekend, and said his organisation had begun revising event operations and updating its rule book. The commercial fitness competition has faced intense public backlash ever since elite Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk soiled herself during the solo women’s event, which she went on to win. The incident raised severe concerns over whether prompt sanitation was carried out and whether the hygiene rights of other... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367532/hyrox-co-founder-sorry-beijing-incident-pledges-rule-changes-after-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367532/hyrox-co-founder-sorry-beijing-incident-pledges-rule-changes-after-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:12:21 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang An elite competitor who soiled herself during Hyrox Beijing and then went on to win has defended her actions saying “go hard or go home...a win is a win”. In a now-deleted Instagram story, Joanna Wietrzyk thanked everyone for their support and said she would be back soon. Wietrzyk’s actions this past weekend have sparked furious debate among the Hyrox community, with others asking how she had been allowed to continue, and organisers facing criticism for their response to the incident. A... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367472/hyrox-beijing-athlete-who-soiled-herself-says-win-win-faecal-row-rages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367472/hyrox-beijing-athlete-who-soiled-herself-says-win-win-faecal-row-rages?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:45:05 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The women’s javelin at the Asian Games is expected to go down to a battle between China’s Yan Ziyi and Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi, and fans were given a glimpse of the fireworks they might expect in Nagoya this month. Yan has dominated since the start of the year, throwing the second furthest distance of all time and regularly beating her rival, who took gold at the Paris Olympics two years ago. Facing off at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest on Saturday, Yan again appeared to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367338/javelin-stars-injury-scare-adds-extra-spice-china-v-japan-battle-asian-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367338/javelin-stars-injury-scare-adds-extra-spice-china-v-japan-battle-asian-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 05:52:07 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The newest tennis star in China said she wanted to be like Zheng Qinwen and hoped she could play against the Olympic champion on the professional tour one day, after reaching the US Open girls’ singles final. Sun Xinran beat Chukwumelije Clarke of the United States 7-5, 0-6, 6-1 to reach the final, where she will face fifth seed Russian teenage girl Anna Pushkareva. New York is the third grand slam final for Sun this year, after reaching the last two at the French Open and Wimbledon, but she has... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367299/chinas-newest-tennis-star-sun-facing-familiar-foe-third-junior-grand-slam-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367299/chinas-newest-tennis-star-sun-facing-familiar-foe-third-junior-grand-slam-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s men opened their Asian Games basketball campaign by routing Kazakhstan 99-61 on Friday, despite preparing in cramped container housing and having training disrupted by record-breaking rainfall in Japan. Pang Zhenglin led China with 19 points and four assists, while Li Hongquan recorded 16 points and nine rebounds. Yu Jiahao added 15 points, Jacky Cui Yongxi scored 12, and both Liao Sanning and Jiao Boqiao contributed 10 points. The opening victory came against a backdrop of severe... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367178/asian-games-china-basketball-stars-packed-3-container-japans-athletes-village?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367178/asian-games-china-basketball-stars-packed-3-container-japans-athletes-village?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:26:55 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Yu Zidi made history last year aged 12 when she became the youngest-ever medallist at the swimming world championships. Now a teenager, she headlines China’s bid for Asian Games domination and has Olympic glory in her sights. The 13-year-old schoolgirl with a pixie haircut stunned the sporting world last year with a series of eye-popping times. At the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore she helped China reach the 4x200m women’s freestyle relay final. She did not swim in the final but... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367149/chinese-swimming-prodigy-yu-zidi-excited-asian-games-debut-eyes-olympic-glory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367149/chinese-swimming-prodigy-yu-zidi-excited-asian-games-debut-eyes-olympic-glory?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:40:39 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Former China national volleyball player Wang Yunlu tearfully confessed, in an in-depth video interview released on Wednesday, that her career felt like a “failure” after being dropped from the Paris Olympics roster at the last minute. Wang spent more than two years as an indispensable starter during the Paris Olympic cycle, stepping up when stars Zhu Ting and Zhang Changning were sidelined with injury. However, she was left off the final squad following the return of key veterans and roster... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367087/ex-china-volleyballer-wang-yunlu-says-missing-paris-olympics-made-her-feel-failure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3367087/ex-china-volleyballer-wang-yunlu-says-missing-paris-olympics-made-her-feel-failure?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:30:05 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s 75-72 victory over Puerto Rico in Berlin on Wednesday secured a fourth consecutive Fiba Women’s World Cup quarter-final berth, sparking a wave of relief on domestic social media alongside growing fan anxiety over squad depth and fatigue ahead of a daunting clash against France. WNBA star Han Xu produced a dominant 21-point, 11-rebound double-double – her third in a row – to lead China through the qualifying play-in. Yang Shuyu scored 15 points, while 2.21-metre (7-foot-3) centre Zhang... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3367025/womens-basketball-world-cup-china-reach-last-8-fans-worry-over-squad-depth-fatigue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3367025/womens-basketball-world-cup-china-reach-last-8-fans-worry-over-squad-depth-fatigue?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 07:30:00 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang The organisers of the China GT Championship in which British driver Ollie Millroy almost died have been accused of “gross negligence” amid claims some track staff were gig workers being paid just 60 yuan (US$8.50) a day. Millroy’s car burst into flames after a three-vehicle collision at the Shanghai International Circuit, and he was pulled from the burning wreckage by 23-year-old Dutch driver Loek Hartog with fire marshals and stewards nowhere to be seen. According to his Instagram account,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366933/china-gt-bosses-grossly-negligent-over-fiery-crash-team-says-staff-pay-rumours-swirl?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366933/china-gt-bosses-grossly-negligent-over-fiery-crash-team-says-staff-pay-rumours-swirl?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:00:13 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese WNBA player Han Xu scored a second consecutive double-double as China beat Italy 71-51 to secure second place in their group at the Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup. China’s 7ft 3in (2.33m) teenage sensation Zhang Ziyu scored eight points with perfect shooting from the field as her team established an 18-point lead at one point, while New York Liberty centre Han led the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Han had powered China to the comeback win against the Czech Republic the previous... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3366781/womens-basketball-world-cup-han-xu-stars-again-china-seal-second-spot-group?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3366781/womens-basketball-world-cup-han-xu-stars-again-china-seal-second-spot-group?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:00:10 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport China’s new badminton chief has vowed to crack down on corruption and “purge industry chaos” after being appointed to replace two-time Olympic gold medallist Zhang Jun. Zhang Jun, the former president of the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA), has not been seen for months after being accused in April of “serious violations of discipline and law”. On Tuesday, the CBA said Zhang Xin – an official from China’s General Administration of Sport – would be the new president. The governing body would,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366776/new-china-badminton-chief-vows-fight-corruption-purge-chaos-after-predecessor-removed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366776/new-china-badminton-chief-vows-fight-corruption-purge-chaos-after-predecessor-removed?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 09:30:10 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese referee Ma Ning hopes to “pass the torch” to the next generation of football officials in the country, and encouraged them to show the world what they are capable of. Ma became only the second official from the mainland to take charge of a game at the Fifa World Cup when he oversaw Curacao’s goalless draw with Ecuador this summer – and the first to serve at two different tournaments. While he does not know if he would want to stand at a third, he said he would gladly do so if his country... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366677/ma-ning-will-go-third-world-cup-if-asked-hopes-see-new-chinese-referees-emerge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366677/ma-ning-will-go-third-world-cup-if-asked-hopes-see-new-chinese-referees-emerge?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:24 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang As the best athletes prepare to perform on the region’s biggest stage at the coming Asian Games, Zhang Jiaqi, a Chinese Olympic diving champion, was making headlines for a different type of performance. The 22-year-old former diver, who won gold at the 2018 Asian Games and the Tokyo Olympics, recently appeared on the reality television show My Little One, providing viewers with a look at her unapologetic love for anime, casual living habits and desire to break free from the state sports... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366659/diving-new-life-olympic-champion-zhang-jiaqi-defends-choices-reality-tv-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366659/diving-new-life-olympic-champion-zhang-jiaqi-defends-choices-reality-tv-show?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Sep 2026 15:00:15 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Chinese teenage basketball player Zhang Ziyu stands 2.23 metres (7 feet 4 inches) and towers over opponents at the Women’s World Cup – but off the court she’s “just a little girl”. That was the assessment of the giant 19-year-old by teammate Han Xu after China’s 74-70 overtime win over the Czech Republic on Sunday in Germany. The teenage centre scored three points in just over 10 minutes on court against a physical Czech side, having been more of a threat against reigning champions the United... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366628/zhang-ziyu-chinas-towering-teenage-basketball-world-cup-sensation-just-little-girl?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366628/zhang-ziyu-chinas-towering-teenage-basketball-world-cup-sensation-just-little-girl?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Sep 2026 14:00:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Javelin star Yan Ziyi’s sweet tooth almost cost her a place in the history books in Brussels on Sunday, as it was she joined a very select group of Chinese athletes. The 18-year-old said she ate so many desserts during lunch that she made herself sick, but it still wasn’t enough to stop her from becoming the youngest female champion in Diamond League Final history, beating Paris Olympic gold medallist Haruka Kitaguchi. Yan won the women’s javelin gold with a meeting record throw of 68.42 metres... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366607/future-filled-gold-chinas-teen-javelin-star-yan-after-historic-diamond-league-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366607/future-filled-gold-chinas-teen-javelin-star-yan-after-historic-diamond-league-win?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Sep 2026 06:30:06 +0000 Reuters,Associated Press Reuters,Associated Press China used their considerable height to battle past ⁠the Czech Republic ⁠74-70 in an overtime thriller ⁠at the Fiba Women’s World Cup on Sunday, with the New York Liberty’s nearly 2.13-metre-tall (7 foot) centre Han Xu’s double-double making the difference. In a later match, the United States survived their toughest test at the tournament in two decades with a 55-52 win over Italy, with Jackie Young scoring 10 points. Han powered China to the comeback win with 22 points ‌and 14 rebounds to get... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366570/china-get-fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-campaign-back-track-italy-give-us-scare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366570/china-get-fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-campaign-back-track-italy-give-us-scare?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2026 22:57:21 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Age may be just a number, but for two of China’s most senior track and field athletes, the numbers they have produced on the global stage have been nothing short of astonishing. At the World Masters Athletics Championships, 92-year-old Lyu Mingpu captured four medals across six events, including two golds, and immediately set a new goal to keep running until he is 100. Similarly, 82-year-old Ding Ming shaved a massive 0.52 seconds off the Asian M80 80-metre hurdles record to win a world... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366487/mastering-game-2-chinese-senior-statesmen-steal-show-world-masters-athletics-meet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366487/mastering-game-2-chinese-senior-statesmen-steal-show-world-masters-athletics-meet?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2026 12:00:10 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s teenage centre Zhang Ziyu sparked a social media frenzy after making her Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup debut against the United States in Berlin on Friday. Viral images and clips of the 2.2-metre (7-foot-3) 19-year-old towering over WNBA superstars dominated online commentary, drawing praise from US stars while exposing deep tactical divisions among Chinese fans. In her 18 minutes off the bench, Zhang presented an unprecedented physical presence, recording a team-high 13 points, six... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3366474/chinas-zhang-ziyu-towering-presence-debut-us-win-world-cup-basketball-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3366474/chinas-zhang-ziyu-towering-presence-debut-us-win-world-cup-basketball-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2026 08:31:39 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong Bulls will earn the right to compete in the top tier of the Chinese basketball league if they finish in the top two of the National Basketball League this season and beat one of the two lowly Chinese Basketball Association league teams in a two-leg play-off. However, a play-off series win would not guarantee straight passage to the top tier for any teams, but only the right to be screened – using several guidelines – by Chinese basketball officials. Teams will then face an anxious wait... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3366429/play-win-hong-kong-bulls-no-guarantee-chinese-basketball-association-league-spot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3366429/play-win-hong-kong-bulls-no-guarantee-chinese-basketball-association-league-spot?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:00:11 +0000 SCMP Sport,Agencies SCMP Sport,Agencies Yu Zidi, the 13-year-old swimming sensation, will be among a bumper 815 Chinese athletes heading to the Asian Games in Japan this month, state media said Friday. Comprising 36 Olympic champions, the squad has an average age of 24, and over a quarter of the athletes are 20 or under, with most making their Games debuts. Yu, who became the youngest medallist in swimming world championships history last year aged just 12, is part of a team comprising 404 women and 411 men who will compete in 38... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366403/swimmer-yu-zidi-among-bumper-china-team-asian-games-zheng-qinwen-misses-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366403/swimmer-yu-zidi-among-bumper-china-team-asian-games-zheng-qinwen-misses-out?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:28:42 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Yang Hansen scored a dramatic late winner to give China an 89-87 victory over Lebanon in their Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers clash on Monday, in a game almost overshadowed by a fan throwing a ball that hit the home star. The 21-year-old Yang sealed the win at the Xishi Basketball Centre in Zhuji, Zhejiang province, with a buzzer-beating bank shot, improving China’s record to 5-3 in the second stage of qualifying and keeping them third in their group. China had squandered a six-point... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3366095/teen-spectator-vip-seat-hauled-out-arena-after-hurling-ball-china-players?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3366095/teen-spectator-vip-seat-hauled-out-arena-after-hurling-ball-china-players?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Thailand’s victory over China in the final of the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship earned them their first-ever Olympics spot, underscoring both the former’s tactical ascension and deepening concerns over the latter’s future. The hosts led 2-1 in Tianjin, before Thailand rallied to win 3-2 and complete a clean sweep of Asian powerhouses, with victories over South Korea and Japan coming in the lead up to Sunday’s triumph. Qualification for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles comes 47 years after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365850/historic-olympic-games-qualification-caps-thailands-volleyball-rise-chinas-fall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365850/historic-olympic-games-qualification-caps-thailands-volleyball-rise-chinas-fall?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:30:06 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Olympic champions Wang Chuqin, Sun Yingsha, and Wang Manyu are among five big names to have made themselves unavailable for the Asian Team Championships in a bid to manage a demanding late-season schedule, China table tennis officials said. Along with the three Olympians, Chen Xintong and He Zhuojia opted out of the qualification process, while Zhou Qihao will not take part in the selection for men’s singles, men’s doubles, or mixed doubles. The China Table Tennis Association (CTTA) published... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365765/fan-zhedong-falls-flat-after-cinemas-sell-out-chinas-big-5-skip-asian-championships?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365765/fan-zhedong-falls-flat-after-cinemas-sell-out-chinas-big-5-skip-asian-championships?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Aug 2026 14:00:12 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China football officials have rushed to quash online rumours that men’s under-23 head coach Antonio Puche will be axed after the Asian Games no matter what his side does in Japan next month. Responding to rumours that the Spaniard would not have his contract renewed, officials from the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said that was “false information”, and hinted that he may be handed a bigger role. Speculation over Puche’s future came soon after former China men’s captain Li Weifeng used the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3365741/china-football-bosses-deny-u23-coach-antonio-puche-faces-axe-after-asian-games-win-or-lose?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3365741/china-football-bosses-deny-u23-coach-antonio-puche-faces-axe-after-asian-games-win-or-lose?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:44:03 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Football in China is being run by people without the skill to do so, as those with talent sit on the sidelines, former international Li Weifeng has said in a withering assessment of the game in the country. Speaking during a live stream on social media, Li, who stopped playing in 2015, said the decision to axe head coach Bora Milutinovic, who guided China to their only Fifa World Cup appearance to date in Japan and South Korea in 2002, was a classic case in point. Rather than being rewarded with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3365706/chinese-football-run-people-wrong-skills-talented-ones-miss-out-li-weifeng-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3365706/chinese-football-run-people-wrong-skills-talented-ones-miss-out-li-weifeng-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 10:06:00 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara A natural gift for tennis felt more of a curse than a blessing for Kong Lingwei when, at the age of 10, she was sent away to Guangdong Ersha Sports Training Centre. “It was pretty sad, and I cried a lot,” Kong said. “But I knew I wanted to be a professional tennis player, so I had to hide my emotions and be strong.” Christened the “cradle of champions”, Guangdong Ersha’s alumni, including diving star Quan Hongchan, delivered eight gold, two silver and two bronze from the 2024 Olympics. Since... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365498/road-china-talent-factory-pickleball-glory-paved-tears-and-cheers-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365498/road-china-talent-factory-pickleball-glory-paved-tears-and-cheers-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:21 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Fan Zhendong may have dropped out of the table tennis world rankings and China’s national team but his popularity on the mainland appears as strong as ever. The Olympic champion’s German Cup match on Saturday will be broadcast live in 56 cinemas across the mainland, and tickets sold out within three minutes in some cities. Last week, video streaming platform Youku Sports and state-backed film distributor Huaxia Film jointly announced that they would live-stream Fan’s appearance in his Borussia... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365413/live-broadcast-fans-german-cup-clash-sells-out-chinese-cinemas-minutes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365413/live-broadcast-fans-german-cup-clash-sells-out-chinese-cinemas-minutes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:01:03 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Zheng Fengrong, a high jump legend and the first Chinese female athlete to break a world record, died on Tuesday aged 89. While there has been no official confirmation, state broadcaster CCTV Sports shared a tribute video across its digital platforms. Born in Jinan, Shandong province in 1937, she joined the national athletics training team in 1953. She later served as vice-president of the Chinese Athletics Association, a deputy to the Third National People’s Congress, and a member of the fifth,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365324/zheng-fengrong-first-chinese-female-athlete-break-world-record-dies-aged-89?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365324/zheng-fengrong-first-chinese-female-athlete-break-world-record-dies-aged-89?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:28:48 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang When it comes to individual success, China can appear to be an unstoppable sporting machine at times, from dominating table tennis, to training divers to enter the water without a splash and weightlifters to shatter world records. But translate that same state-led sports model onto a football pitch, basketball court, and latterly volleyball court, and the system stumbles. In a year when China’s men again watched on as others played in an expanded Fifa World Cup, an economist and a sports... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365176/why-chinas-sporting-machine-fails-turn-individual-olympic-gold-team-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365176/why-chinas-sporting-machine-fails-turn-individual-olympic-gold-team-success?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang In a chaotic day in the Chinese Super League (CSL) on Saturday, disgruntled Wuhan Three Towns fans directed their anger over their club’s possible relegation at the visiting team’s supporters’ bus, while the sudden death of a spectator sparked widespread debate about medical equipment at stadiums. Off-field chaos erupted following a crucial relegation match between Wuhan and Tianjin Jinmen Tiger that ended in a 0-0 draw despite Wuhan having 28 shots. Frustrated as their club remained deep in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365067/angry-chinese-super-league-fans-attack-visiting-team-bus-and-make-racist-offensive-gestures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3365067/angry-chinese-super-league-fans-attack-visiting-team-bus-and-make-racist-offensive-gestures?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:00:21 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen will start from the US Open qualifying rounds for the first time in her career as qualifiers for the final grand slam of the year begin on Monday, New York time. Ranked No 127 in the world, Zheng remained some way off the main draw list, which cut off at No 118 Julia Grabher of Austria, per the women’s singles entry list as of last Wednesday. With an 11-13 record this year including six first-round defeats including at the French Open and Wimbledon, Zheng is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364980/chinese-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-start-us-open-qualifiers-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364980/chinese-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-start-us-open-qualifiers-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:00:10 +0000 Reuters,Stephy Zhang Reuters,Stephy Zhang Two Chinese humanoid robots have eclipsed the achievement of the man widely regarded as the fastest human in history. Racing in the 100 metres at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Tiangong Ultra clocked 9.39 seconds in a preliminary heat, beating the men’s world record of 9.58 seconds held by Jamaican sprinting great Usain Bolt since 2009. Another robot in the heat, Lightning, also finished faster than Bolt in a time of 9.47 seconds. Unitree Robotics’ robot was not as quick, finishing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364974/ultra-quick-chinese-robots-beat-usain-bolts-100m-world-record-beijing-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364974/ultra-quick-chinese-robots-beat-usain-bolts-100m-world-record-beijing-games?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:30:55 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Borussia Dusseldorf manager Andreas Preuss said Chinese table tennis star Fan Zhendong’s first home match was “only a beginning” and that the German club had to ride the wave and seize the moment to make it sustainable. In his second season in Germany, but the first with new team Dusseldorf, Fan on Saturday secured two points in his team’s 3-1 win over TSV Bad Konigshofen in the Table Tennis Bundesliga. Preuss, who spoke exclusively to the South China Morning Post on Sunday, said it was a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364953/fan-zhendong-enjoys-fitting-warm-welcome-home-debut-borussia-dusseldorf?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364953/fan-zhendong-enjoys-fitting-warm-welcome-home-debut-borussia-dusseldorf?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Aug 2026 04:31:32 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang The sports empire created by Hui Ka-yan has crumbled, changed hands or struggled to survive alongside the downfall of China Evergrande Group. On Thursday, the former tycoon and controlling shareholder of Evergrande was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court for multiple offences. It brought an end to an era for the real estate giant he founded 30 years ago in Guangzhou, sealing a collapse that inevitably engulfed the sports empire built on its fortunes. Hui... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364885/demise-hui-ka-yans-china-evergrande-group-engulfs-sports-empire-built-its-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364885/demise-hui-ka-yans-china-evergrande-group-engulfs-sports-empire-built-its-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:03:47 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Chinese badminton player Wang Zhiyi sparked a “fake injury” controversy on Thursday after collapsing twice before rallying to defeat PV Sindhu in an 88-minute marathon, leaving the Indian star questioning whether her opponent had suffered genuine cramps or deployed a tactical ploy. In a women’s singles last-16 match at the world championships, Wang overcame the host favourite in a gripping, back-and-forth contest, ultimately securing a 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 victory to reach her career-first... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364804/chinese-badminton-star-wang-zhiyi-fake-injury-controversy-after-world-championships-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3364804/chinese-badminton-star-wang-zhiyi-fake-injury-controversy-after-world-championships-win?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:27:36 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang The familiar drumbeats and chants may be absent from the stands when Shanghai Shenhua face Shandong Taishan next week, after several diehard fan groups announced a suspension of cheering activities. The announcements followed a Shanghai police report on Wednesday night confirming that three Shenhua fans had been placed under administrative detention for cornering and verbally abusing a young boy and his father outside the stadium. The child was targeted for wearing a national team No 7 jersey... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3364677/shanghai-shenhua-fans-halt-cheering-after-case-boy-abused-wearing-wu-lei-jersey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3364677/shanghai-shenhua-fans-halt-cheering-after-case-boy-abused-wearing-wu-lei-jersey?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:30:05 +0000