Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 36 Week of 13 October 2025
(1) National Games Windsurfing | “Wind Queen” Lee Lai Shan Won Silver at the Same Venue in 2001; Junior Teammates Cheng Ching-yin, Au Ling-yang, Ma Kwun-ching, and Cheung Tsz-yuet Aim for Medals This Edition
Hong Kong’s windsurfing team eyes National Games medals in Shanwei, emulating Lee Lai Shan’s 2001 silver. Juniors train rigorously amid tough conditions to secure podium spots after 24 years.
(2) Brett Crawford has high hopes of Class Two Happy Valley victory with Encountered
Brett Crawford eyes his first Hong Kong Class Two win with Encountered at Happy Valley. Ninja Derby and Forever Glorious also compete, while Romantic Warrior progresses in recovery.
(3) Cyclists to conquer 231.8 km in historic cross-border race
National Games debut cross-border cycling race spans 231.8 km across Hong Kong, Macau, Zhuhai on November 8. 104 cyclists to navigate six borders, symbolizing Greater Bay Area integration.
(4) HK men’s team takes historic silver in Asian Table Tennis Championships
Hong Kong’s men’s table tennis team claimed silver at the Asian Table Tennis Team Championships in India despite falling 3-0 to China in the final.
(1) National Games Windsurfing | “Wind Queen” Lee Lai Shan Won Silver at the Same Venue in 2001; Junior Teammates Cheng Ching-yin, Au Ling-yang, Ma Kwun-ching, and Cheung Tsz-yuet Aim for Medals This Edition
(Photo Credit: Singtao Headline)
The Hong Kong windsurfing team, comprising two men and two women—Paris Olympics iQFOiL representatives Cheng Ching-yin and Ma Kwun-ching, along with juniors Au Ling-yang and Cheung Tsz-yuet—will compete in the windsurfing events at the National Games in Shanwei next Friday (October 24). The team seeks to follow in the footsteps of “Wind Queen” Lee Lai Shan, who secured a silver medal at the same venue during the 2001 Guangdong National Games, and return to the podium after a 24-year absence. The Hong Kong team, like Macau, advances directly to the main race on October 24, with the top eight qualifying for the medal race on October 30.
In recent months, the Hong Kong team has been training intensively in Shanwei to adapt to its challenging conditions of strong winds and waves. Ma Kwun-ching, competing alongside 16-year-old teammate Cheung Tsz-yuet, emphasized the event’s high stakes, noting that it draws top athletes from across China, rivaling Olympic-level competition. She expressed a heightened sense of responsibility, particularly in mentoring her juniors, and has consulted coaches to elevate her performance as a role model. Cheung, a former national youth champion in the under-19 category, paused her studies for a year to focus on preparations for the National Games and next year’s Nagoya Asian Games, where the U19 division will debut. Supported by her school, she aims to bridge gaps in her experience, especially in starts and wave handling, through targeted training.
Hong Kong head coach Chan King-yin is optimistic about clinching a medal after 24 years, highlighting Shanwei’s reputation for testing athletes’ physical limits and technical prowess. The team’s disciplined preparation underscores a commitment to excellence, positioning them to navigate the demanding venue and compete against elite provincial squads. This participation not only honors Lee’s legacy but also advances Hong Kong’s presence in mainland sports events.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/realtime-sport/3508044/
(2) Brett Crawford has high hopes of Class Two Happy Valley victory with Encountered
(Photo Credit: Kenneth Chan)
South African trainer Brett Crawford is optimistic about securing his first Class Two victory in Hong Kong with Encountered in the Lei Yue Mun Handicap (1,800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, October 15, 2025. Encountered, a former Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse winner in 2023, recently transferred to Crawford’s stable and nearly won last month, finishing just three-quarters of a length behind Lo Rider. With a favorable 5lb weight swing and a better barrier draw (gate four versus Lo Rider’s gate nine), Crawford believes Encountered’s strong form and preparation position him well for success, marking a significant milestone in his debut Hong Kong campaign.
Crawford has enjoyed a promising start in Hong Kong, achieving a double win at Sha Tin with Speedy Smartie and Ninja Derby, alongside three placings from 15 starters. Ninja Derby, another stable transfer, is set to compete in the Class Five Ngau Chi Wan Handicap (1,650m) after a dominant Sha Tin victory, setting a class record over 1,600m. Despite drawing the widest gate (12), Crawford is confident in Ninja Derby’s form, bolstered by jockey Lyle Hewitson’s approval and a favorable rating drop, enhancing his prospects for consecutive wins.
Additionally, Crawford’s Forever Glorious will debut for his stable in the Class Four Hung Luen Handicap (1,650m), bringing prior Happy Valley success. Meanwhile, champion horse Romantic Warrior, under trainer Danny Shum, made a strong trial performance at Sha Tin, signaling a promising recovery from a fetlock injury as he prepares for the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) next month. Crawford’s stable transfers, including Encountered and Ninja Derby, reflect his ability to elevate performance, setting the stage for a competitive showing at Happy Valley.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3328901/brett-crawford-has-high-hopes-class-two-happy-valley-victory-encountered
(3) Cyclists to conquer 231.8 km in historic cross-border race
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
In a groundbreaking event for the National Games, the men’s individual road cycling competition will span 231.8 kilometers across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau on November 8, 2025, marking the first cross-border race of its kind. Organized by the Hong Kong delegation, the event connects Zhuhai, Hong Kong, Macau, and the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau Deep Cooperation Zone via the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge. Officials from the three jurisdictions unveiled logistics at a Zhuhai press conference.
The route starts at Zhuhai Museum and finishes at the plaza outside the Planning Exhibition Hall, covering 55.8 km in Hong Kong, 13.5 km in Macau, 117.7 km in Zhuhai, and 44.8 km in Hengqin. Featuring 24 teams and 104 cyclists, the race requires six border crossings, with protocols allowing passage at speeds up to 40 km/h. Zhuhai Vice Mayor Huang Zhenqiu highlighted the event as a symbol of integration, beyond mere athletic competition, with recent trial runs refining the route, command systems, border procedures, and medical-security coordination.
A full-scale rehearsal last month validated the interconnected operations across borders, ensuring smooth execution. This historic race underscores the Greater Bay Area’s collaborative spirit, blending elite sports with infrastructural innovation to foster deeper ties among the regions.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/sports-news/article/313941/Cyclists-to-conquer-2318-km-in-historic-cross-border-race
(4) HK men’s team takes historic silver in Asian Table Tennis Championships
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Hong Kong’s men’s table tennis team achieved their best-ever result by claiming silver at the Asian Table Tennis Team Championships in India on Wednesday, despite falling 3-0 to China in the final.
The historic final saw veteran Wong Chun-ting fall 3-0 (8:11, 4:11, 4:11) to Lin Shidong. Youngster Baldwin Chan provided the highlight, pushing world champion Wang Chuqin to four games (10:12, 9:11, 11:5, 12:14) in an impressive performance. Yiu Kwan-to completed the Hong Kong lineup, losing 3-0 (11:13, 6:11, 10:12) to Liang Jingkun. The silver medal marks Hong Kong’s highest achievement in the men’s team event, surpassing previous bronze medals from 1974, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.
China completed their third consecutive men’s team title, their 25th overall championship. The Chinese women’s team also secured gold, defeating Japan 3-0 for their 20th women’s team title.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/sports-news/article/314227/
