https://www.scmp.com/rss/95/feed All the latest sports news, fixtures, match reports, features and analysis. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters,Associated Press Reuters,Associated Press ⁠Teenage juggernaut Zhang Zhanshuo became the first swimmer to win seven gold medals at an Asian Games on the final night at the Tokyo pool on Friday, when China cemented their superpower status. Sitting on a lane divider, the 19-year-old Zhang counted out the golds with his fingers to mark the moment after cruising to the 400 metres freestyle title in a Games record of three minutes, 41.28 seconds, ‌with Japan’s Kazushi Imafuku a distant runner-up. Having already won the 200m, 400m and 1,500m... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368842/chinese-teen-titan-zhang-zhanshuo-counts-out-golds-after-magnificent-7-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3368842/chinese-teen-titan-zhang-zhanshuo-counts-out-golds-after-magnificent-7-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:00:06 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse After 28 years and 50,000 kilometres (31,000 miles), a British adventurer is facing one last hurdle in his bid to trek home from South America without using any form of transport: the Channel. “We thought we got permission to swim from the coast of France. Turned out that is not the case,” Karl Bushby, a former paratrooper, said as he walked towards Cap Blanc-Nez in northern France, within sight of the white cliffs of the English coast. “There was some internal confusion. So, right now we’re... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368783/after-50000km-british-around-world-walker-faces-final-hurdle-his-home-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368783/after-50000km-british-around-world-walker-faces-final-hurdle-his-home-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Showing that age is not a constraint, 51-year-old Uzbekistan gymnast Oksana Chusovitina capped off her seventh Asian Games appearance with a fifth-place finish – 32 years after her first appearance at the regional event. Competing against athletes young enough to be her daughter, Chusovitina – who made her bow at the 1994 Hiroshima Games – more than held her own in the women’s vault artistic gymnastics final. Among the 19 athletes competing in the women’s vault on Thursday, 12 were under 21... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368766/uzbekistan-gymnast-oksana-chusovitina-51-defies-years-asian-games-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368766/uzbekistan-gymnast-oksana-chusovitina-51-defies-years-asian-games-final?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 07:00:14 +0000 Josh Ball,Mike Chan Josh Ball,Mike Chan Hong Kong’s men had to settle for silver in the team at the Asian Games on Friday, where there was a rare bronze in gymnastics and the city’s swimmer gave us a glimpse of what life will be like without Siobhan Haughey. With squash returning to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, both of the city’s mixed doubles pairs secured a bronze and will have the chance to go at least one better in the semi-finals on Saturday. There was bronze too in the esports Fighting Games category, although table... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368767/asian-games-day-6-hong-kongs-fencers-squash-players-out-turn-bronze-silver-or-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368767/asian-games-day-6-hong-kongs-fencers-squash-players-out-turn-bronze-silver-or-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 05:45:22 +0000 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 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Scheduling the pre-tournament press conference less than five hours before the opening match did little to disabuse anyone of the impression that everybody involved in organising the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup is flying by the seat of their pants. It all got too much for Vladica Grujic, the fiery Laos head coach, as the clock ticked 15 minutes beyond the scheduled 12.15pm start time. “This is crazy, we’re playing this evening and my player [captain Bounphachan Bounkong] needs to have lunch,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3368708/hong-kong-hero-back-town-fifa-asean-cup-current-coach-plays-down-key-man-exit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3368708/hong-kong-hero-back-town-fifa-asean-cup-current-coach-plays-down-key-man-exit?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:29:31 +0000 Josh Ball,Mike Chan Josh Ball,Mike Chan Rower Chiu Hin-chun grabbed the gold he needed to complete his set of Asian Games medals, Siobhan Haughey won her fourth of the week, and there was a wushu first as Hong Kong’s athletes had a Thursday to remember in Japan. Chiu’s triumph in the lightweight men’s singles sculls was one of four medals the city’s rowers brought home in Nagoya and Tokyo. Winne Hung Wing-yan took silver in the women’s lightweight single sculls, while there was bronze for women’s pair Cheung Yuen-shan and Leung... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368702/hong-kong-have-day-remember-siobhan-haughey-wins-fourth-medal-final-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368702/hong-kong-have-day-remember-siobhan-haughey-wins-fourth-medal-final-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:13:28 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Japan’s men pulled off a stunning upset at the Asian Games on Thursday, beating China to claim table tennis team gold in front of a raucous home crowd. With the sides tied at 2-2 following a back and forth tussle, Sora Matsushima won the decisive match, downing Wen Ruibo 3-1 at Sky Hall Toyota. Matsushima recovered from just losing the opening encounter to Wang Chuqin, who laboured his way to a 3-2 victory, but was overpowered 3-0 by an inspired Tomokazu Harimoto, who set up the thrilling finale... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368691/japan-men-stun-china-claim-asian-games-table-tennis-team-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368691/japan-men-stun-china-claim-asian-games-table-tennis-team-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:49:59 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Frankie Lor Fu-chuen will unleash several of his stars on a key day for the stable at Sha Tin on Sunday, including Classic Cup (1,800m) winner Stormy Grove and Lucky With You in the Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m). The highlight of Sunday’s card features a stacked field, with the likes of Galaxy Patch, Helios Express, Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) winner Invincible Ibis and Classic Mile hero Little Paradise among the hopefuls. Stormy Grove – a one-time winner pre-import in Australia – was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368662/frankie-lor-unleashes-stormy-grove-lucky-you-and-salon-s-key-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368662/frankie-lor-unleashes-stormy-grove-lucky-you-and-salon-s-key-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:49:59 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang South Korean former short-track speedskater Kim Gun-woo has moved quickly to reassure fans that he is alive and well, and that news of his death had been greatly exaggerated. An obituary had appeared on the 28-year-old’s Instagram account, spreading dismay and panic among supporters. However, it soon became apparent that the star’s account had been hacked and the fake news posted without his knowledge. In the early hours of Wednesday, a Korean-language obituary written from the perspective of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368622/south-korean-ex-skater-tells-fans-he-alive-and-well-looking-false-report-death?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368622/south-korean-ex-skater-tells-fans-he-alive-and-well-looking-false-report-death?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chiu Hin-chun completed his set of Asian Games medals on Thursday, winning gold for the first time in the lightweight men’s single sculls final. The Hongkonger was tracking second for the first half of the 2,000m race, trailing just 0.63 seconds behind leader Firdavs Akhunov of Uzbekistan. But the 32-year-old managed to hold on and took the lead with 500m to go, before crossing the line first in six minutes and 50.32 seconds. Akhunov could not maintain his pace and dropped out of the medal... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368616/asian-games-day-5-rowing-gold-completes-medal-collection-hong-kongs-chiu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368616/asian-games-day-5-rowing-gold-completes-medal-collection-hong-kongs-chiu?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:41:06 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Record-breaking British jockey Saffie Osborne, French superstar Maxime Guyon and top Irish duo Dylan Browne McMonagle and Rossa Ryan will add star power to Hong Kong’s elite riding ranks after being granted visiting jockeys’ licences this winter. The quartet will arrive over a staggered period, starting with Osborne in November, and at a time when Hugh Bowman – championship runner-up to Zac Purton the past two seasons – faces at least four months on the sidelines if he opts to undergo surgery on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368610/saffie-osborne-and-maxime-guyon-among-four-overseas-stars-set-winter-stints-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368610/saffie-osborne-and-maxime-guyon-among-four-overseas-stars-set-winter-stints-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:42:11 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball With minimal razzmatazz, an absence of semi-clad women carrying boards, or childish pre-fight hype, little evidence of claret on canvas and certainly no cages, this is not the MMA you know – and that is exactly the way officials want it. The sport made its debut at the Asian Games this week, an important step in a journey it hopes will lead to inclusion in other continental multi-sport events and eventually a place on the biggest stage of all, ideally at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 if all goes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368605/mma-makes-its-debut-asian-games-it-fighting-losing-battle-recognition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368605/mma-makes-its-debut-asian-games-it-fighting-losing-battle-recognition?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:09:04 +0000 Josh Ball,Mike Chan Josh Ball,Mike Chan Teen sensation Shin Ohashi laid down a marker for swimming’s best, powering to Asian Games 200m breaststroke gold in a world record time on Thursday. The 17-year-old Japanese swimmer came home in a time of two minutes, 04.83 seconds, shattering the previous best of 2:05.48 set by China’s Qin Haiyang in 2023. Kyrgyzstan’s Denis Petrashov took silver in 2:08.67, while the bronze medal went to South Korea’s Cho Sung-jae, who finished in 2:08.76. Moments earlier, Siobhan Haughey won her second... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368578/asian-games-day-5-hung-gives-hong-kong-silver-start-haughey-chases-third-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368578/asian-games-day-5-hung-gives-hong-kong-silver-start-haughey-chases-third-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:54:05 +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 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Apprentice Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu celebrated her first Happy Valley win on Wednesday night as trainers David Eustace and David Hall and jockeys Jerry Chau Chun-lok and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu fired in doubles. At her third meeting at the city circuit, Yuen was over the moon after lifting Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s Prestige Always to victory in the second section of the Class Three Mount Butler Handicap (1,200m). Despite being trapped three wide for the first half of the race, Prestige Always raced to the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368554/nichola-yuen-celebrates-first-happy-valley-win-david-eustace-and-jerry-chau-lead-quartet-doubles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368554/nichola-yuen-celebrates-first-happy-valley-win-david-eustace-and-jerry-chau-lead-quartet-doubles?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:28:19 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Table tennis fans had a unique experience watching star duo Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha beat their Uzbekistan opponents in the Asian Games, after state media used three smartphones to stream the match live to viewers back in China. The reason for the extraordinary measure? Out of nine competition tables, organisers of the Asian Games equipped only Tables 1 and 2 with broadcast cameras, leaving the rest without live coverage. Wang and Sun played on Table 4 at Sky Hall Toyota arena on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368531/no-broadcast-no-problem-chinese-media-uses-smartphones-stream-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368531/no-broadcast-no-problem-chinese-media-uses-smartphones-stream-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:00:12 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse North Korea’s Ri Song-gum set three world records to give her country their first gold in weightlifting at the Asian Games on Wednesday, while South Korea’s badminton world No 1 An Se-young had stern words for her watching father. Ri set the world records in the women’s 49kg class in Nagoya, joining an elite club of just four weightlifters who have won three Asian Games gold medals. The reigning two-time world champion added to her Asian Games golds in Jakarta in 2018 in the 48kg class and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368487/asian-games-weightlifter-ri-sets-3-world-records-win-north-koreas-first-medal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368487/asian-games-weightlifter-ri-sets-3-world-records-win-north-koreas-first-medal?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:00:06 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Hong Kong’s Natalie Kan Cheuk-tung beat her personal best time twice in a single day and broke a Hong Kong record set by Siobhan Haughey on her way to bronze in the women’s 100m butterfly at the Asian Games on Wednesday. The 24-year-old touched the wall in 58.05 seconds to finish third behind China’s Yu Yiting and Zhang Yufei, eclipsing Haughey’s previous city mark of 58.12 seconds set in 2023. China’s Yu and Zhang captured gold and silver with times of 56.41 and 56.44, respectively. Kan had... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368518/hong-kongs-natalie-kan-really-surprised-win-bronze-100m-butterfly-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368518/hong-kongs-natalie-kan-really-surprised-win-bronze-100m-butterfly-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:46:04 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Hong Kong wushu athlete Lydia Sham Hui-yu said a gruelling training schedule allowed her to deliver on an Asian Games gold medal pledge she made to her idol, Exo boy band member Kai. On Tuesday, after winning the women’s changquan event to secure Hong Kong’s first gold of the Asian Games, the 26-year-old posted a video on social media sharing the medal ceremony and tagging the official accounts of South Korean boy band Exo and Kai. “I kept the promise I made to Kim Jong-in [Kai] at the fan sign... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368477/hong-kongs-lydia-sham-delivers-golden-asian-games-promise-exo-member-kai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368477/hong-kongs-lydia-sham-delivers-golden-asian-games-promise-exo-member-kai?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:18:27 +0000 Josh Ball,Mike Chan Josh Ball,Mike Chan Hong Kong karate veteran Tsang Yee-ting finally stepped onto an Asian Games podium on Wednesday, taking silver in the women’s 50kg kumite final, and adding another medal to the city’s growing tally. There was success in the swimming pool too, with Natalie Kan Cheuk-tung taking bronze in the women’s 100m butterfly, while earlier, the men had won bronze in the team kata. In wushu, Leung Yu-hong beat Bintang Reindra Nada Guitara of Indonesia 2-1 to reach the men’s 60kg final, where he will face off... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368467/asian-games-day-4-china-pair-seal-racewalking-golds-kata-bronze-hong-kongs-men?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368467/asian-games-day-4-china-pair-seal-racewalking-golds-kata-bronze-hong-kongs-men?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 04:42:54 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Siobhan Haughey may have cemented her place as Hong Kong’s best athlete ever after capturing yet another Asian Games gold medal on Tuesday. Touching the wall first in 52.45 seconds – ahead of a pack of swimmers at least three years younger – to defend her women’s 100m freestyle title successfully pushed Haughey’s gold medal count at the regional multi-sports bonanza to four, after she also retained the 200m freestyle crown she won in Hangzhou the previous day. From showcasing to the world her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368425/siobhan-haughey-stakes-claim-hong-kongs-greatest-athlete-after-fourth-asian-games-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368425/siobhan-haughey-stakes-claim-hong-kongs-greatest-athlete-after-fourth-asian-games-title?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:26 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara The briefest of wobbles cost Chloe Leung Wing-yee Asian Games road race gold on Tuesday, but 48 hours after a bitterly disappointing individual time trial, the Hongkonger and her coach were content with the bronze she captured in Japan. Herve Dagorne suspected his rider was destined for victory as the 90.4km tussle in secluded Shinshiro City entered its business end. Committing unflinchingly to her pre-race strategy of attacking on the downhills, however, Leung slipped to hand the initiative to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368400/hong-kong-cyclist-pays-brief-asian-games-wobble-strikes-back-redemptive-medal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368400/hong-kong-cyclist-pays-brief-asian-games-wobble-strikes-back-redemptive-medal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 22:00:14 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Madonna, Bob Dylan and Jack White have banned phones from their concerts. An exasperated Adele once asked an audience member: “Can you stop filming me? … You can enjoy it in real life rather than through your camera.” In the sporting sphere, however, those bastions of decorum at Augusta National Golf Club are alone in waging war on mobile devices, employing a strict cell phone ban for patrons attending the US Masters. Mark Calcavecchia, the 1989 Open Championship winner and veteran of 18... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3368373/reel-life-sports-events-confront-whole-new-world-social-media-influencers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3368373/reel-life-sports-events-confront-whole-new-world-social-media-influencers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:30:06 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Jay Rooney DANICA'S CHOICE - R8 (8) Finished last season in top form and has trialled well ahead of his return   Owen Goulding JUMBO BLESSING - R6 (1) Dominant first up and can complete the hat-trick on the way to better things   Paul Lally DANICA'S CHOICE - R8 (8) Has won two trials ahead of his reappearance and looks ready to win tonight   Phillip Woo MATZDEN - R2 (4) Produced an eye-catching return and can go one better tonight   Trackwork Spy CLOUD NINE - R4 (6) Ended last season in good... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368418/scmp-best-bets-punters-can-be-cloud-nine-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368418/scmp-best-bets-punters-can-be-cloud-nine-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:00:17 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Plagued by controversy ranging from athlete accommodation and dining complaints to severe operational blunders including misrecorded scores and incorrect national anthems, Asian Games host Japan has faced criticism for deflecting blame onto delegations and foreign contractors rather than addressing its own shortcomings. And now some in the country are worried they could be landed with the label of hosting the “worst Asian Games ever”. On Tuesday, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368410/japan-fears-hosting-worst-asian-games-ever-blames-french-firm-organisational-woes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368410/japan-fears-hosting-worst-asian-games-ever-blames-french-firm-organisational-woes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:00:14 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Pan Zhanle admitted he had a “fire burning inside” during his successful title defence of the men’s 100m freestyle at the Asian Games. Motivated by a rival’s claim that he was not unbeatable, the 22-year-old “controlled his anger” to overturn two South Korean swimmers in the final 10 metres to snatch gold. A day later on Monday, swimming the third leg in a team with Xu Haibo, Fei Liwei and Zhang Zhanshuo, he led China to its first men’s 4x200m freestyle relay Asian Games gold in 16 years,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368372/asian-games-pan-zhanle-says-fire-inside-fuels-his-successful-100m-freestyle-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368372/asian-games-pan-zhanle-says-fire-inside-fuels-his-successful-100m-freestyle-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:00:19 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Hong Kong’s Ryan Choi Chun-yin came with a whisker of winning Asian Games gold on Tuesday, and said after suffering a losing run in mahjong he felt his luck had been about to change. The 28-year-old former world champion had dominated for much of the day, and even when behind, launched a stunning fightback in the final of the men’s individual foil competition. Battling local hero Kazuki Iimura, Choi found himself in a hole early on at the Aichi Sky Expo, and slipped 4-2 behind quite... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368403/asian-games-ryan-choi-falls-agonisingly-short-gold-medal-bid-claims-foil-silver?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368403/asian-games-ryan-choi-falls-agonisingly-short-gold-medal-bid-claims-foil-silver?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:39:31 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Siobhan Haughey was already the best swimmer Hong Kong has ever produced, much more like this and she will easily be the best athlete in the city’s history. The Hongkonger stormed to her second gold inside 24 hours at the Asian Games on Tuesday, sweeping all before her in the women’s 100m freestyle. Haughey touched the wall at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in 52.45 seconds, with China pair Yu Yiting and Cheng Yujie grabbing silver and bronze in 53.21 and 53.47 respectively. “I’m pretty satisfied,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368384/dominant-siobhan-haughey-pretty-satisfied-after-storming-second-asian-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368384/dominant-siobhan-haughey-pretty-satisfied-after-storming-second-asian-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:13:21 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Andrea Atzeni is excited about his prospects of adding to his seasonal tally at Happy Valley on Wednesday night before turning his attention to his first ride on Helios Express in Sunday’s Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m). Sitting on two wins from the first four meetings, the Sardinian jockey heads to the city circuit armed with eight rides before teaming up with John Size’s multiple Group One placegetter Helios Express. Hugh Bowman has been the consistent sprinter’s regular rider for most... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368379/andrea-atzeni-eyes-happy-valley-success-first-ride-helios-express-celebration-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368379/andrea-atzeni-eyes-happy-valley-success-first-ride-helios-express-celebration-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:00:29 +0000 Mike Chan,Josh Ball Mike Chan,Josh Ball Ryan Choi Chun-yin will fight for individual foil gold at the Asian Games on Tuesday, after Cheung Ka-long’s early exit left him carrying the city’s hopes all on his own. Choi breezed through the knockout rounds of the tournament, displaying some sparkling form on the piste, and winning all five of his bouts in the pool stage. Alongside South Korean’s Lee Kwang-hyun and Youn Jeong-hyun, he was one of only three foilists to receive a bye straight to the round of 16. There, he quickly dispatched... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368324/asian-games-day-3-bronze-leung-haughey-cruises-cheung-struggles-foil?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368324/asian-games-day-3-bronze-leung-haughey-cruises-cheung-struggles-foil?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 03:28:47 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Having long ago agreed to coaching duties with Hong Kong this week, the interim Eastern head coach Cristiano Cordeiro has landed himself with a calendar clash. “It’s chaos,” he said, a light-hearted comment that would aptly describe Eastern’s embryonic campaign. Beaten in their opening match by newly promoted Supreme Sha Tin, who have since lost four straight games, Eastern then received two red cards in a 4–1 defeat by Tai Po. One of them went to Leung Kwun-chung, who duly resigned as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3368263/after-chaotic-start-are-five-time-hong-kong-champions-club-crisis-or-transition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3368263/after-chaotic-start-are-five-time-hong-kong-champions-club-crisis-or-transition?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 02:00:12 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball The Asian Games is well under way, and for Hong Kong the belief that day three will bring more medals is largely guided by the fact that athletes who have been there and done that are back in action. Fencing starts at the Aichi Sky Expo on Tuesday, the swimming continues in Tokyo, and the women’s road cycling has the potential to serve up a surprise. Here there are five things to know as the region’s best get ready to do battle once again in Japan. Chasing gold Siobhan Haughey cruised to victory... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368314/asian-games-haughey-back-action-fencers-enter-mix-5-things-know-day-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368314/asian-games-haughey-back-action-fencers-enter-mix-5-things-know-day-3?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:57:09 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China’s Yu Zidi was less than a year old when Siobhan Haughey first made the world sit up and take notice of her talent in the pool, 13 years later they are both Asian Games gold medallists and young talent is the order of the day. On Monday, Haughey defended her women’s 200m freestyle title with a crushing victory, and Yu laid down an Asian record in winning the women’s 200m individual medley. Three years ago in Hangzhou, it was Haughey setting regional and Games records, and while not “as fast... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368277/siobhan-haughey-leads-example-inspiring-next-generation-hong-kong-swim-stars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368277/siobhan-haughey-leads-example-inspiring-next-generation-hong-kong-swim-stars?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:30:07 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong’s athletes had a Monday to remember at the Asian Games, picking up six medals, and if Siobhan Haughey’s gold was more expected than hoped for, the reverse was true elsewhere. Success across wushu, triathlon, karate and swimming took the city’s overall tally to eight, with the belief more should follow when the city’s fencers enter the mix for the first time on Tuesday. Lydia Sham Hui-yu got things started with victory in the women’s wushu changquan, and there were sighs of relief all... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368282/hong-kong-athletes-enjoy-day-remember-6-medal-haul-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368282/hong-kong-athletes-enjoy-day-remember-6-medal-haul-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:30:06 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang A coming tropical storm could force the cruise ship housing athletes at the Asian Games to set sail from Nagoya to seek refuge out at sea, while some events have been postponed due to the expected heavy rain. Japan’s meteorological authorities forecast Typhoon Dujuan to hit the Izu Peninsula and Tokyo before reaching the coast of Nagoya on Monday. Heavy rain warnings have been issued across several regions, with maximum sustained winds of 90km/h and gusts reaching 126km/h, casting a shadow over... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368230/asian-games-typhoon-dujuan-could-force-cruise-ship-housing-athletes-set-sail?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368230/asian-games-typhoon-dujuan-could-force-cruise-ship-housing-athletes-set-sail?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:00:07 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney David Hayes couldn’t be happier with Ka Ying Rising after the champion sprinter arrived in Sydney on Monday to prepare to defend his crown in next month’s Group One The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick. The world’s highest-rated galloper and winner of 21 consecutive races flew out of Hong Kong on Sunday night and settled in quickly at Canterbury racecourse, where he will spend two weeks in quarantine. Hayes had his farrier, vet, groom, track rider and assistant trainer in Sydney to make sure... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368232/champion-sprinter-ka-ying-rising-arrives-australia-ahead-everest-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368232/champion-sprinter-ka-ying-rising-arrives-australia-ahead-everest-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Jimmy Ting Koon-ho is hopeful a more calm Little Paradise can prove himself as a top Group One Hong Kong Mile contender when he returns in Sunday’s Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin. Last season’s sensational Classic Mile winner and victor of the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) will launch his campaign in the HK$4.2 million feature, with December’s Hong Kong Mile his main target. Little Paradise overcame trouble in running to record a jaw-dropping triumph in February’s Classic... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368221/calmer-little-paradise-set-launch-hong-kong-mile-mission-celebration-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3368221/calmer-little-paradise-set-launch-hong-kong-mile-mission-celebration-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:35:50 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Oscar Coggins said he had “mixed feelings” after Hong Kong claimed Asian Games triathlon mixed-relay bronze on Monday, as the Tokyo Olympian wrestled with self-recriminations over his flat individual performance 24 hours earlier. Fancied by head coach Andrew Wright to challenge for gold, Coggins came home in a “very disappointing” seventh place on Sunday. Described by teammate Bailee Brown as “the most dedicated person” in the city squad, the 26-year-old buried his angst long enough to summon a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368214/hong-kong-triathlon-star-tempers-asian-games-medal-joy-he-wrestles-individual-blow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368214/hong-kong-triathlon-star-tempers-asian-games-medal-joy-he-wrestles-individual-blow?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:11:27 +0000 Josh Ball,Mike Chan Josh Ball,Mike Chan China’s Yu Zidi added another Asian Games gold to an already glittering resume on Monday, after Siobhan Haughey had defended her 200m freestyle title and Ian Ho Yentou grabbed silver in a fast 50m race. Yu moved through the gears in the women’s 200m individual medley at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, and her time of two minutes, 06.10 seconds, was an Asian record. That mark had been set by compatriot Yu Yiting when she won the race in Hangzhou three years ago, but the record holder was no match for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368186/asian-games-day-2-hong-kongs-sham-wins-wushu-gold-triathletes-must-win-medal-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368186/asian-games-day-2-hong-kongs-sham-wins-wushu-gold-triathletes-must-win-medal-day?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 01:21:43 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Their adrenaline pumping in the immediate aftermath of competition, sportspeople can tend towards hyperbole. Mike Tyson took the biscuit, poleaxing Lou Savarese, then calling out future opponent Lennox Lewis with the immortal line “I want your heart, I want to eat your children.” Not remotely as graphic, but after unfancied Bangladesh had ended New Zealand’s 17-match home unbeaten streak in a gripping 2022 Test, their excited seamer Taskin Ahmed praised his side for “giving 110 per cent”, a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368147/hong-kongs-newest-sporting-star-and-heir-cheung-ka-long-throne-set-asian-games-bow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368147/hong-kongs-newest-sporting-star-and-heir-cheung-ka-long-throne-set-asian-games-bow?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:23 +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 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse IOC president Kirsty Coventry called the shipping container-style huts for Asian Games athletes “beautiful” on Sunday – but conceded they were “a little tighter” than similar accommodation at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Asia’s biggest sporting spectacle, which opened on Saturday in the Japanese city of Nagoya, has split with past Games by having no traditional athletes’ village. To save costs, the more than 17,000 Asian Games participants will stay in temporary huts, hotels and a cruise... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368142/ioc-president-impressed-beautiful-asian-games-shipping-container-style-huts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368142/ioc-president-impressed-beautiful-asian-games-shipping-container-style-huts?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 06:35:18 +0000 Josh Ball,Mike Chan Josh Ball,Mike Chan There was something almost inevitable about the way the first day of competition at the Asian Games in Japan unfolded on Sunday, and the only real surprise would have been finding someone surprised by it all. That is until Hong Kong’s women came second in the 4x100m freestyle relay in the final event at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Just the second silver the team has ever managed in the discipline, it was as unexpected as the city-record time that accompanied it. Much earlier in the day’s proceedings,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368134/asian-games-day-1-japan-triathlete-hojo-claims-first-gold-elg-and-coggins-also-rans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3368134/asian-games-day-1-japan-triathlete-hojo-claims-first-gold-elg-and-coggins-also-rans?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:44:25 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Tumua Ioane said Hong Kong would make tangible progress only when they had their sevens players available for major 15s tournaments, after his spirited team lost 54-26 to Fiji at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Saturday. Last-ditch victors over Brazil last Sunday, the hosts will expect to end their WXV Challenger campaign with victory over hapless Samoa next week. But in a four-try blitz shortly before half-time, the bustling and buccaneering Fijians brutally exposed the gulf that exists between... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3368122/hong-kong-coach-spells-out-big-change-needed-after-fiji-overpower-city-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3368122/hong-kong-coach-spells-out-big-change-needed-after-fiji-overpower-city-team?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Organisers tried to put a chaotic build-up to the Asian Games behind them on Saturday with a sparkling opening ceremony in Nagoya, although not even an acrobatic aerial display by Japan’s Blue Impulse team could silence the criticism swirling over their heads. Barely a day has gone by over the past week where complaints have not been made about the state of official accommodation, transport, venues and some of the other facilities being used for the Games. Just hours before Japan’s royal family... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368118/asian-games-open-sparkling-ceremony-message-unity-following-chaotic-build?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368118/asian-games-open-sparkling-ceremony-message-unity-following-chaotic-build?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 11:53:27 +0000 Paul McNamara,Agence France-Presse Paul McNamara,Agence France-Presse Any talk of potential success is almost done, early skirmishes are building to serious exchanges of fire and the first official day of Asian Games competition on Sunday will launch some to global stardom or merely enhance the reputation of those destined to be the best. There is little surprise in the names of several athletes who are expected to shine in Japan, with China’s swimming starlet Yu Zidi already being talked about as an Olympic champion in waiting. Others, such as Singapore’s rising... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368105/asian-games-teen-swimmers-titans-tennis-5-stars-set-shine-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368105/asian-games-teen-swimmers-titans-tennis-5-stars-set-shine-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 08:57:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The Asian Games opening ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium on Saturday will fire the starting gun on the first official days of competition in Nagoya and Tokyo, even if some athletes have already finished their events. Various team sports such as basketball, football and volleyball are working their way through the group stages, while some poor unfortunates, such as Hong Kong’s Shum Chun-hei and Liu Hei-yu, have already competed and bowed out. The pair were taking part in the modern pentathlon,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368086/postcard-nagoya-asian-games-opening-hour-nears-teething-problems-remain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3368086/postcard-nagoya-asian-games-opening-hour-nears-teething-problems-remain?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 02:15:24 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara After all the meticulous preparation, the talking and the injury frights, Chloe Leung Wing-yee is ready for the clock to start ticking on her race of truth in the remote hills of Shinshiro City on Sunday. The little finger on her right hand that Leung broke following a racing crash in Italy in July has been a nuisance, but she has reconciled with the fact that it is just one more challenge, besides the slopes and corners that characterise a deeply technical course, to overcome in her pursuit of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3367945/hong-kong-cycling-star-chloe-leung-ready-race-truth-bid-asian-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3367945/hong-kong-cycling-star-chloe-leung-ready-race-truth-bid-asian-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:12 +0000