Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 27 Week of 11 August 2025
(1) The Asian School Rugby Sevens Championship Returns to Hong Kong For its 4th Edition
Hong Kong hosts the revived Asian School Rugby Sevens Championship (August 9-10, 2025) at King’s Park Sports Ground, where its U18 squad will defend its title against six teams after a six-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, with free public entry and live scores available online.
(2) Cincinnati Open: Hong Kong’s Wong halted, China’s Yuan sleeps on sofa after shock call
Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong meets his match in France’s Ugo Humbert, but Yuan Yue makes most of last-minute reprieve.
(3) Cristiano Ronaldo in Hong Kong: fans greet superstar’s arrival at hotel
Cristiano Ronaldo landed in Hong Kong on Aug 14, sparking excitement as fans vied to catch a glimpse of the football superstar.
(4) Italian sportsman Mattia Debertolis dies after competing at World Games in China
Italian athlete Mattia Debertolis dies aged 29 after collapsing at World Games in Chengdu.
(1) The Asian School Rugby Sevens Championship Returns to Hong Kong For its 4th Edition
(Photo Credit: HKCR)
The Asian School Rugby Sevens Championship returns after a six-year hiatus, with its fourth edition scheduled for August 9–10, 2025, at Hong Kong’s King’s Park Sports Ground. Originally a triennial event, the championship was cancelled in 2022 due to COVID-19, with Hong Kong China having won all three previous editions—the last hosted by Malaysia in 2019. This year marks Hong Kong’s debut as host, organized jointly with the Schools Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China.
Seven teams will compete: People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Thailand. To qualify for Hong Kong’s team, players must be locally enrolled students with minimum three-year residency. Following over 100 school nominations and intensive training, a final 12-player under-18 squad was selected. Notably, four players—Lu Ho Sun, Kaze Ndassi Denzel Edward, Li Tak Nam, and Leung Tik Wai Tane—are members of the Hysan-sponsored HKCR Academy, the tournament’s key sponsor.
The championship is a proven talent pipeline, with past participants like Paul Altier, Jack Abbott, and Liam Herbert now representing Hong Kong’s senior national teams. Spectators are invited to attend free of charge (Saturday: 12PM–6PM; Sunday: 9:30AM–4PM) at King’s Park, where refreshments will be available. Live scores will be updated on hkrugby.com as Hong Kong China defends its title against regional rivals.
News Source: hkrugby.com/news/details/the-asian-school-rugby-sevens-championship-returns-to-hong-kong-for-its-4th-edition
(2) Cincinnati Open: Hong Kong’s Wong halted, China’s Yuan sleeps on sofa after shock call
(Photo Credit: HKCTA)
Hong Kong’s top-ranked player Coleman Wong (world No. 177) suffered a straight-sets defeat to 25th-ranked Frenchman Ugo Humbert (6-3, 6-4) in the Cincinnati Open second round. Despite showing resilience, including holding serve at 40-30 four times in the first set and nearly leveling the second set at 4-4. Wong couldn’t convert key break points against the seven-time ATP title winner. This followed Wong’s impressive debut at the ATP Masters 1000 event, where he battled through qualifying rounds and defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in straight sets.
Mainland China’s Yuan Yue authored a remarkable comeback story: initially eliminated in qualifying by Clervie Ngounoue, she entered the main draw as a “third-choice lucky loser” after player withdrawals. Told just hours before her match – after training at 6am assuming she was out, Yuan rallied to defeat Diana Shnaider 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. She described napping in the players’ lounge to avoid returning to her hotel, relieved to redeem missed opportunities from her qualifying loss.
China’s Wang Xinyu continued her strong run with a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Emiliana Arango, setting up a third-round showdown against reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff. Yuan Yue will next face Sorana Cirstea, while Humbert progresses to play 10th-seeded American Frances Tiafoe. The results highlight both breakthrough performances and hard-fought exits for Asian contenders at the prestigious tournament.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3321349/coleman-wong-suffers-straight-sets-loss-second-round-cincinnati-open?module=top_story&pgtype=subsection
(3) Cristiano Ronaldo in Hong Kong: fans greet superstar’s arrival at hotel
(Photo Credit: Dickson Lee)
Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday, sparking widespread excitement as fans gathered at the Regent Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui amid rumours of his visit. The anticipation ushered around 3pm local time when Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates arrived via team bus, greeted by cheers from the crowd. The Portuguese star who opened his “CR7 Life Museum” in Hong Kong last month briefly emerged before being ushered into the hotel, while teammates retrieved their luggage.
The hotel’s location holds special significance, being just steps away from Ronaldo’s career-chronicling museum at K11 Musea. Despite catching only a fleeting glimpse of the football legend, fans expressed satisfaction with the experience. University student Chris Chow, who claimed to be the first visitor to both the museum and the hotel vigil emphasized understanding Ronaldo’s limited interaction: “I’m not disappointed… it’s a very long journey from Saudi Arabia. I understand why he didn’t sign any autographs.”
Ronaldo’s visit precedes next week’s Saudi Super Cup, which Hong Kong will host. The brief stopover underscores the city’s growing status as a destination for international sporting events, while the museum’s recent opening adds a lasting connection between Ronaldo and Hong Kong beyond this tournament appearance. The combination of his athletic commitment and commercial footprint highlights the multifaceted relationship between global sports icons and host cities.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3321812/cristiano-ronaldo-hong-kong-fans-gather-hotel-al-nassr-arrival
(4) Italian sportsman Mattia Debertolis dies after competing at World Games in China
(Photo Credit: CNN)
Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis, 29, died on August 11 after collapsing during the men’s middle-distance race at the World Games in Chengdu, China, on August 8. Organizers confirmed he was found unconscious during the competition and rushed to a hospital where he received immediate care, but succumbed three days later. The World Games Association, Chengdu Local Organizing Committee, and International Orienteering Federation (IOF) jointly expressed being “struck by this tragedy” and extended heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the global orienteering community.
Orienteering, a sport requiring athletes to navigate unfamiliar terrain using maps and compasses under time pressure—lost a dedicated competitor who represented Italy for years at World Championships and World Cups. IOF President Tom Hollowell called the loss “unfathomable,” urging the community to honour Debertolis’ memory. The Italian Orienteering Federation (FISO) announced mountain bike orienteering events in Poland will fly flags at half-mast in tribute. Debertolis was part of Italy’s fifth-place relay team at the 2022 World Cup Final.
Born in Italy’s Primiero valley, Debertolis participated in cross-country skiing and soccer before dedicating himself to elite orienteering. Beyond competition, he trained as a civil engineer and was pursuing a PhD at the University of Stockholm, where he resided. His dual identity as an elite athlete and academic highlighted a life committed to intellectual and physical excellence, making his sudden passing particularly poignant for colleagues and peers across both fields.
News Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/12/sport/mattia-debertolis-death-world-games-intl
