Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 46 Week of 5 January 2026
(1) Fan Zhendong seeks first overseas title in German Cup semis/finals
Fan Zhendong seeks first overseas title in German Cup semis/finals on 4 Jan 2026 with Saarbrücken; praises Bundesliga level, fan respect, calls potential win “very special” despite Super Grand Slam.
(2) Philippines set to debut new SEA Youth Games event
Philippines to host inaugural Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games in Manila 2028 for under-17 athletes; Tolentino-led event prepares for AYG/YOG, backed by 9 NOCs and OCA, held biennially.
(3) Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong upsets world No. 72 to reach Round of 16 at Hong Kong Open 2026
Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong upset world No. 72 Mariano Navone 6-3, 7-5 at the Hong Kong Open 2026, advancing to Round of 16 amid strong home support; next faces doubles partner Diallo.
(4) Winter Olympics Hero Wu Dajing Announces his Retirement
Wu Dajing, the Chinese short track speed skater who won gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics, has announced his retirement after not qualifying for the 2026 Games in Italy.
(1) Fan Zhendong seeks first overseas title in German Cup semis/finals
(Photo Credit: Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
Chinese table tennis superstar Fan Zhendong, 28, will compete for his first title since joining the German Bundesliga (TTBL) on 4 January 2026, as his club Saarbrücken faces defending champions Ochsenhausen in the German Cup semi-final at 6pm Hong Kong time. A win advances them to the final at 9pm against the winner of Borussia Düsseldorf vs. TTC Neu-Ulm. This marks Fan’s chance at his inaugural trophy in his overseas stint with Saarbrücken.
In a pre-match interview with the TTBL, Fan praised the league’s high overall level: “I’m very happy to be here, competing against top players from each club—it’s a real enjoyment for me.” He highlighted German fans’ passion for the sport and respect for players, adding he greatly appreciates this atmosphere. Despite his “Super Grand Slam” achievements (winning all major titles), Fan called a potential German Cup victory “incredibly wonderful” and “very special” as his season’s first championship.
Fan Zhendong’s pursuit of his debut overseas title underscores his commitment to challenging himself in Europe’s premier league amid China’s dominance in table tennis. His positive comments on the Bundesliga’s competitiveness and fan culture reflect growing mutual respect in global exchanges, while a win would boost Saarbrücken’s profile and affirm the league’s appeal to top international talent.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/realtime-sport/3532459/
(2) Philippines set to debut new SEA Youth Games event
(Photo Credit: Alexes Gerard)
The Philippines is set to host the inaugural Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games in Manila in 2028, a new biennial multi-sport event for athletes aged 17 and under, spearheaded by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. Designed to prepare regional youth for the Asian Youth Games (AYG) and Youth Olympic Games (YOG), the Games have secured support from nine Southeast Asian NOCs (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Timor Leste) and full backing from the Olympic Council of Asia.
The “Plus” element invites at least one non-Southeast Asian NOC per edition for added competition. The programme includes two mandatory sports, up to 12 Olympic sports, five Asian non-Olympic sports, and one traditional sport (up to six medal events). Tolentino described it as Southeast Asia’s grassroots response to building competitive foundations for higher-level success, aligning with the AYG cycle (next in Tashkent 2029 after Bahrain 2025).
The initiative addresses Southeast Asia’s historical underperformance at AYG relative to Asian powerhouses, aiming for cultural unity and elite development. With Manila’s hosting and OCA endorsement, it positions the Philippines as a regional sports leader, potentially boosting tourism and youth participation while providing a stepping stone toward Olympic medals in a structured, inclusive format.
News Source: https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2026/01/06/philippines-set-to-debut-new-sea-youth-games-event/
(3) Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong upsets world No. 72 to reach Round of 16 at Hong Kong Open 2026
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong Chak-lam delivered a thrilling upset at the Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026, defeating world No. 72 Mariano Navone of Argentina 6-3, 7-5 in straight sets on Victoria Park’s Centre Court. The 21-year-old local wildcard, ranked 150th, showcased aggressive baseline play and composure under pressure to advance to the men’s singles round of 16 in 1 hour and 41 minutes. Despite the Tuesday daytime scheduling during office hours, the stands were packed with enthusiastic home supporters, creating an electric atmosphere amplified by the presence of celebrity fan and singer Eason Chan for the second consecutive day.
The match saw Wong recover from an early 3-3 tie in the first set, breaking Navone’s serve and surging ahead with powerful groundstrokes to claim it 6-3. The second set proved more contested, with exchanges of breaks leading to 4-4, before Navone briefly led 5-4. Wong responded decisively by breaking back and holding serve to love, sealing the victory at 7-5 amid roaring applause from the crowd. Post-match, Wong expressed gratitude for the strong turnout and vocal support, acknowledging the unique pressure of performing at home while crediting his mental resilience.
Wong now advances to face Canadian Gabriel Diallo—his regular doubles partner—in an intriguing round-of-16 matchup on Wednesday, vying for a quarter-final berth. He also highlighted his preference for the earlier daytime slots this year, which allowed warmer playing conditions compared to previous evening sessions. This victory marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong tennis, boosting local interest in the ATP 250 event and underscoring Wong’s rising potential on the international stage.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/320908/
(4) Winter Olympics Hero Wu Dajing Announces his Retirement
(Photo Credit: Xinhua)
Wu Dajing, the short track speed skater who secured China’s only gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics, has announced his retirement after failing to qualify for the 2026 Games in Italy. While Wu set a world record in the men’s 500m at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and earned silver in the 5,000m relay. He was also part of the Chinese team that claimed victory in the mixed 2,000m relay at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
In a heartfelt Weibo announcement, Wu expressed that he felt at peace with his decision to retire, stating that there were no regrets, only a sense of tranquility. His final competitive appearance was at the National Winter Games in 2024, and he had considered retirement after the past Olympics but chose to continue due to his passion for the sport.
Throughout his illustrious career, Wu won a total of 124 medals, including 16 World Cup titles, while holding both Olympic and world records in the 500 meters. Following his transition from short track to long-track speed skating in an attempt to qualify for the upcoming Olympics, he recognized the physical demands of the switch and did not make the national team. Now, Wu is focusing on his role as a coach at the Ice Sports Management Centre in Jilin, where he continues to contribute to ice and snow sports education.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3339015/winter-olympics-hero-wu-dajing-retires-after-failing-qualify-2026-games?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
