Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 30 Week of 1 September 2025
(1) Coleman Wong’s US Open a dream despite exit
Coleman Wong made history as Hong Kong’s first Grand Slam singles winner before a gutsy US Open third-round loss. His father praised his resilience ahead of Davis Cup and China tournaments.
(2) Hong Kong set to host revamped Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium
Hong Kong Sevens upgrades to World Rugby’s SVNS Championship in 2026, debuting at Kai Tak Stadium with 12 elite teams. Hong Kong’s national squad begins qualification in the Asian Sevens Series this month.
(3) Hong Kong Badminton Open 2025 awarded prestigious “M” Mark status
Hong Kong Badminton Open 2025 earns “M” Mark status, securing government support for the Sept 9-14 Super 500 event. The tournament will boost tourism and showcase elite athletes at Hong Kong Coliseum.
(4) Chinese rookie overcomes world No 1 to win first LPGA title
Rookie Miranda Wang (268) outduels world No.1 Thitikul by 1 stroke at FM Championship, becoming China’s 3rd LPGA winner. Her clutch putting sealed the $615K victory amid a record 24 different 2023 winners.
(5) The end of ‘Linsanity’: Jeremy Lin retires after trailblazing basketball career
Jeremy Lin, a Taiwanese-American guard whose 2012 heroics with the New York Knicks brought “Linsanity” to the NBA, announced his retirement from professional basketball on social media.
(1) Coleman Wong’s US Open a dream despite exit
(Photo Credit: Xinhua)
Coleman Wong (world No. 173) captured global attention as the first Hong Kong player to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open era, ultimately falling 2-3 to world No. 15 Andrey Rublev in a gripping five-set battle. His father, Bruce Wong, told RTHK the family was “proud and happy” with his historic run, noting how the Flushing Meadows crowd swelled to 8,000 spectators cheering for the underdog.
Though disappointed, the 21-year-old “punched above his weight” against Rublev, proving Hong Kong’s tennis potential. Bruce, also a primary school principal, emphasised parenting through open dialogue: “After wins or losses, we discuss improvements and set new goals.” Coleman, who started tennis at five, will next compete in September’s Davis Cup in Hong Kong before tournaments in Chengdu, Beijing, and Shanghai.
Sports Minister Rosanna Law lauded Wong’s “amazing journey” on social media: “The end of this chapter begins the next. We’re proud of you!” His breakthrough has cemented Hong Kong’s place on the tennis map.
News Source: https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1820570-20250831.htm
(2) Hong Kong set to host revamped Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
The Hong Kong Sevens will undergo a major transformation when it returns from April 17-19, 2026 as the inaugural stop of World Rugby’s newly reformed SVNS Championship series. Moving to the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Stadium, the tournament shifts from its traditional SVNS regular-season status to a premium global event, featuring 12 elite men’s and women’s teams. Eight core teams—including rugby giants Australia, New Zealand, France, Britain, and Fiji—have already secured automatic qualification, while four spots will be awarded to winners of the 2026 Challenge Series.
The Hong Kong national team begins its quest for a main-event berth this month in the Asian Sevens Series, with critical matches scheduled through early 2026. A strong performance could earn them a spot in the Challenge Series, where victory would secure one of the four remaining slots in the Kai Tak showdown.
This revamped format elevates the Hong Kong Sevens’ prestige, aligning it with World Rugby’s top-tier championship circuit. The move to Kai Tak—a modern venue replacing the iconic Hong Kong Stadium—signals a fresh chapter for the event, which has been a cornerstone of the city’s sporting culture since 1976.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/310454/Hong-Kong-set-to-host-revamped-Hong-Kong-Sevens-at-Kai-Tak-Stadium
(3) Hong Kong Badminton Open 2025 awarded prestigious “M” Mark status
(Photo Credit: Hong Kong Badminton Open 2025)
The LI-NING Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2025 has been granted the “M” Mark designation by Hong Kong’s Major Sports Events Committee, recognizing its potential to deliver world-class competition and economic benefits. Scheduled for September 9-14 at Hong Kong Coliseum, this Super 500 tournament will now receive enhanced government support as part of efforts to establish Hong Kong as a global sports hub.
The “M” Mark system identifies events that boost tourism, local business, and Hong Kong’s international reputation. The badminton championships are expected to attract top Olympic and world-ranked players, offering local athletes a high-profile home competition while drawing fans from mainland China and overseas. The event will provide a significant lift to hospitality and retail sectors during the tournament period.
This designation underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a vibrant sports scene through elite international events. By hosting world-class badminton competitions, Hong Kong aims to enhance its global profile while delivering lasting community and economic benefits. The “M” Mark initiative continues to position the city as a premier destination for major sporting events.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/310568/Hong-Kong-Badminton-Open-2025-awarded-prestigious-M-Mark-status
(4) Chinese rookie overcomes world No 1 to win first LPGA title
(Photo Credit: China Daily)
Rookie golfer Miranda Wang Xinying claimed her first LPGA title in a thrilling finish at the FM Championship, overcoming world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul by one stroke. The 26-year-old Chinese player, ranked 187th in the world, demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure, particularly with her clutch putting over the final three holes. Wang’s closing two-under 70 gave her a 268 total and the $615,000 top prize, making her just the third mainland Chinese player to win an LPGA event after Feng Shanshan and Yin Ruoning.
Wang’s victory marks her as the seventh LPGA rookie winner this year and the tour’s 11th first-time champion in what has been an unprecedented season of diverse winners. Despite Thitikul’s strong challenge – including five birdies in her first nine holes – Wang maintained her nerve when it mattered most. Her decisive birdie on the 17th hole, followed by a steady par on the 18th, secured the win after Thitikul’s costly bogey on the penultimate hole. The win continues an extraordinary streak of 24 different winners across the LPGA’s first 23 tournaments this season.
The final round saw dramatic swings, with Wang initially losing her lead after a bogey on the 15th hole. However, she showed exceptional resilience, crediting her putting as the key to victory. “I always think the putter is my best club in the bag,” Wang said after her win. Thitikul, who recently claimed the world No. 1 ranking, acknowledged her own strong performance despite falling short, while former world No. 1 Nelly Korda finished tied for 35th. The tour now moves to Cincinnati for the Kroger Queen City Championship in two weeks.
News Source: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202509/02/WS68b64a82a3108622abc9e65c.html
(5) The end of ‘Linsanity’: Jeremy Lin retires after trailblazing basketball career
(Photo Credit: NBC NEWS)
Jeremy Lin, the 37-year-old NBA pioneer and first American of Chinese/Taiwanese descent to win an NBA championship (2019 with Toronto Raptors), announced his retirement via Instagram on Saturday. His heartfelt post featured career highlights and a family photo captioned “Happy retirement,” concluding a groundbreaking 15-year career. Lin emphasized the emotional weight of this decision: “Actually saying goodbye to basketball today has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made,” while reflecting on the honor of challenging stereotypes as an Asian-American athlete on basketball’s biggest stages.
Lin’s career peaked during the legendary ”Linsanity” stretch with the 2011–2012 New York Knicks—a period where he averaged 22.5 points and 8.7 assists during a 9–3 run. After minimal playtime early in the season, Lin exploded onto the scene with historic performances: a 38-point game outpacing Kobe Bryant against the Lakers, a game-winning three-pointer against Toronto, and becoming the first NBA player to record 20+ points and 7+ assists in his first five starts. Despite knee surgery ending that breakout season, Lin went on to play for six NBA teams, including his championship run with the Raptors.
Lin closed his career by leading Taiwan’s New Taipei Kings to the 2025 P. LEAGUE+ championship, earning Season MVP and Finals MVP honors. A Harvard economics graduate (2010), he retires as a cultural icon who inspired global audiences, particularly in Asian communities. In his farewell, Lin acknowledged the bittersweet transition: “I will forever miss playing basketball… but our time will go beyond just playing,” signaling his ongoing impact beyond the court. His journey, from undrafted prospect to NBA champion and international MVP, cements his legacy as a trailblazer who redefined possibilities for Asian athletes in professional basketball.
News Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nba/jeremy-lin-retires-basketball-career-rcna228287
