Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 56 Week of 16 March 2026
(1) Grace Lau secures 8th consecutive title, beats Japanese rival again in Rome
Hong Kong’s Grace Lau clinched her eighth straight international kata title, defeating Japan’s Maho Ono 7-0 in the Karate One-Premier League Rome final while wearing her gold-embroidery gi as world No.1.
(2) Hong Kong Sevens hits 50 but fans more focused on ticket prices for ‘just an ordinary week’
Hong Kong Sevens’ 50th anniversary next month at Kai Tak Stadium draws little excitement due to ticket prices rising to HK$2,250 for three-day adult passes, leading many fans to watch from Wan Chai bars instead.
(3) Shanghai sees massive F1 turnout, boosting city’s pitch as sporting destination
Shanghai’s Chinese Grand Prix set attendance records with over 230,000 spectators and 27,000 foreign arrivals, driving 30% higher ticket revenue, tenfold hotel bookings, and citywide economic boosts through F1’s global appeal and strategic promotions.
(4) Women’s Asian Cup: China coach says team on right track despite semi-final heartache
China coach Ante Milicic called his “brave” team on the right track despite a 2-1 Women’s Asian Cup semi-final loss to Australia as they build toward next year’s World Cup.
(1) Grace Lau secures 8th consecutive title, beats Japanese rival again in Rome
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Hong Kong karateka Grace Lau secured her eighth consecutive international title on Sunday. She defeated Japan’s Maho Ono 7-0 in the World Karate Federation Karate One-Premier League Rome final. As world No. 1 in women’s kata, Lau has now beaten the world No. 2 Ono in every final over the past year. Both performed the “Chatanyara Kushanku” kata, but judges unanimously favoured Lau.
Lau dominated from the group stage onward. She topped her pool by defeating Italy’s Carola Casale, Portugal’s Natacha Fernandes, and Canada’s Claudia Laos-Loo. In the quarter-finals, she crushed local favourite Elena Roversi 7-0. Lau then edged Japan’s Kiri Mishima 4-3 in a tense semi-final.
This 2025 season marks Lau’s debut in the “gold-embroidery gi” as reigning world champion and year-end No. 1. Her Rome win extends a streak that includes world championships in November, Asian championships in May, World University Games in July, and prior Karate One-Premier League titles.
The victory builds crucial momentum ahead of the September Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Lau’s consistent excellence cements her status as a dominant force in kata.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/sports-updates/article/326740/Grace-Lau-secures-8th-consecutive-title-beats-Japanese-rival-again-in-Rome
(2) Hong Kong Sevens hits 50 but fans more focused on ticket prices for ‘just an ordinary week’
(Photo Credit: Sam Tsang)
The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens marks its 50th anniversary next month, yet excitement in the city remains muted as fans view it as just another event. Ticket prices have risen for the first time since 2018, with three-day adult passes now at HK$2,250 and child tickets at HK$1,100. Single-day options range from HK$550 to HK$1,250 for adults, though only Sunday’s adult tickets have sold out so far.
Long-time residents express mixed feelings about the costs. Carlo Speranza, a 30-year Hong Kong veteran in hospitality, loves the tournament but finds weekend passes too pricey. He plans to watch from Wan Chai bars instead. Joyce Lee, aged 35, bought a Saturday ticket after learning of the milestone, hoping for something special.
Wan Chai bar owners anticipate their busiest week despite the stadium’s move to Kai Tak. John Smith of Misty’s calls it routine and skips promotions, while Raj Gurung of Bar 109 plans themed drinks, DJs, and Sevens T-shirts to celebrate. Wilson Wang, 77, prefers the relaxed pub vibe at The Queen Victoria. Australian visitor Rex Holland focuses more on team performances than the anniversary.
Organisers promise a “bigger, louder” event with 30 teams, 72 matches, K-pop acts, and Vengaboys entertainment as the HSBC SVNS World Championship kicks off from 17-19 April. About 100,000 tickets have sold, but the price hike and venue shift temper the usual citywide buzz.
(3) Shanghai sees massive F1 turnout, boosting city’s pitch as sporting destination
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
The Formula One Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai drew record crowds over the weekend, surpassing 230,000 attendees, the highest in nearly two decades, which underscores the city’s successful push to become a premier global sports destination.
Foreign arrivals topped 27,000 on opening day, a single-day record, as reported by People’s Daily. Ticket revenue rose over 30 per cent year on year. Overseas visitors made up 16 per cent of attendees, mostly from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Britain, Germany, and France, while domestic travellers comprised 64 per cent.
F1’s massive global fanbase of over 800 million fuels spikes in hotels, transport, and dining. Hotel bookings near the circuit jumped tenfold, city-wide prices doubled or tripled, and per-guest spending soared 216 per cent versus pre-race days, per Ctrip data.
Shanghai amplified the event with citywide activations, including a North Bund karting track, Huangpu racing festival, Nanjing Road parallel venue, and grand prix designs on public transport. Hosting since 2004, with a contract to 2030, the race generated billions in economic impact last year amid 182 sports events that stimulated 35.8 billion yuan overall.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346721/shanghai-sees-massive-f1-turnout-boosting-citys-pitch-sporting-destination?pgtype=live
(4) Women’s Asian Cup: China coach says team on right track despite semi-final heartache
(Photo Credit: AFP)
China coach Ante Milicic praised his “brave” team despite their 2-1 semi-final loss to Australia in the Women’s Asian Cup, where Matildas striker Sam Kerr’s moment of magic proved decisive.
Milicic noted that his side pressed courageously at times. However, Australia’s individual quality made the difference in Perth on Tuesday. The defeat ends China’s title defence, while Japan faces South Korea in the other semi-final on Wednesday.
This loss marks progress for a team that struggled since winning in India four years ago. They exited early from the 2023 Women’s World Cup and missed the Paris Olympics. England also crushed them 8-0 last November.
Since taking charge in May 2024, Australian Milicic has introduced new faces and identified team needs. He feels confident about the trajectory toward next year’s World Cup in Brazil. “They’ve embraced new ways of playing and training,” he said, highlighting their excellent mentality.
