Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 70 Week of 22 June 2026
(1) Pakistan Cuts Athlete Numbers for 2026 Asian Games as Financial Strain Deepens
Pakistan’s contingent for the 2026 Asian Games has been cut from 123 to 80 athletes due to lack of funds and Pakistan Sports Board directives. Federations must self‑finance, leaving many athletes without support. Key sports including boxing, kabaddi, shooting, and volleyball face reductions, while cricket will be separately funded.
(2) Hong Kong Men’s Foil Team Falls to Japan, Takes Silver; Hong Kong Concludes with 2 Silvers and 3 Bronzes
At the Asian Fencing Championships in New Delhi, India, Hong Kong’s men’s foil team lost 39–45 to Japan in the final, earning silver and missing their first gold. The women’s épée team placed fifth. Overall, Hong Kong closed the tournament with 2 silvers and 3 bronzes across individual and team events.
(3) Hong Kong Wushu Team Tops World Junior Championships With Record 26 Medals
Hong Kong’s wushu team finished top of the medal table at the 10th World Junior Wushu Championships in Tianjin, China after winning a record 26 medals. The campaign was highlighted by Yau Siu Dip, who captured Hong Kong’s first ever gold in the girls’ sanda event at the tournament.
(4) Rex Tso Moves Closer to World Title Shot After Manila Victory
Hong Kong boxer Rex Tso stopped Philippines fighter Genisis Libranza in the third round in Manila to win the IBF Pan Pacific bantamweight title. The victory gives Tso regional belts across all four major sanctioning bodies and moves him closer to an eventual shot at the IBF world crown.
(1) Pakistan Cuts Athlete Numbers for 2026 Asian Games as Financial Strain Deepens
(Photo Credit: Reuters)
Pakistan’s participation in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan has been severely reduced, with the contingent cut from 123 to 80 athletes, and further reductions possible. The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), responsible for funding, directed federations to shrink squads or arrange their own financing. This decision has left many athletes, coaches, and support staff without backing despite prior clearance.
The Pakistan Table Tennis Federation has already told players to self‑fund if they wish to compete. The newly appointed PSB Director General, Yawar Hussain, is negotiating with the government for more resources but faces limited time and budget. Of the PSB’s Rs. 400 million budget, Rs. 250 million was earmarked for the Pakistan Hockey Federation, leaving little for other sports.
The Pakistan Olympic Association had already secured accreditation for 123 athletes, but federations now scramble for sponsorships. Athletics, for instance, was cut from 14 athletes to six. Financial support has been withdrawn from wrestling, weightlifting, table tennis, and tennis, while reductions hit boxing, kabaddi, shooting, and volleyball, all considered medal hopes.
Historically, Pakistan has won 14 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze medals at the Asian Games, with boxing contributing heavily. At the last Games in Hangzhou, Pakistan earned one silver in men’s squash and two bronzes in women’s shooting and kabaddi. For 2026, cricket will be included, funded separately by the Pakistan Cricket Board, but overall prospects are clouded by financial strain and organizational apathy.
(2) Hong Kong Men’s Foil Team Falls to Japan, Takes Silver; Hong Kong Concludes with 2 Silvers and 3 Bronzes
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
The Asian Fencing Championships concluded in New Delhi with Hong Kong’s men’s foil team, comprising Cheung Ka‑long, Choi Chun‑yin, Leung Chin‑yu, and Ho Shing‑him, earning silver after a 39–45 defeat to defending champions Japan. Despite leading early, Hong Kong was overtaken in the later bouts, missing the chance to secure their first team gold. The squad had earlier defeated Nepal, India, and South Korea to reach the final, marking their second appearance since 2018.
In the women’s épée team event, Shek Sin‑yin, Chen Wai‑ling, Chu Ka‑wong, and Ng Hoi‑tai advanced past Nepal but fell to Singapore in the quarterfinals. They later won classification matches against Uzbekistan and Chinese Taipei to finish fifth.
Hong Kong’s overall medal tally stood at 2 silvers and 3 bronzes. Shek Sin‑yin had earlier won silver in the women’s épée individual, while bronzes came from Chen Nosi in women’s foil individual, the women’s foil team, and the men’s épée team.
The results highlight Hong Kong’s growing competitiveness in Asian fencing, with strong performances from both established stars like Olympic champion Cheung Ka‑long and emerging talents. Although the men’s foil team narrowly missed gold, their silver medal and consistent podium finishes underscore the depth of the squad. The delegation’s 2 silvers and 3 bronzes reflect steady progress and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a regional fencing contender.
(3) Hong Kong Wushu Team Tops World Junior Championships With Record 26 Medals
(Photo Credit: Hong Kong, China Wushu Union / HK01)
Hong Kong’s wushu team delivered a record breaking performance at the 10th World Junior Wushu Championships in Tianjin, finishing first in the medal standings with 26 medals, including 13 gold, 7 silver and 6 bronze.
Held from May 26 to 30 at Tianjin Olympic Center, the event brought together more than 600 young athletes from 78 countries and regions. Hong Kong sent a 21 member squad, made up of 14 taolu athletes and seven sanda fighters, under the leadership of team officials and coaches.
The team produced standout results across both disciplines. In taolu, child division athlete Yip Wing Hei swept gold in changquan, jianshu and qiangshu, claiming three titles. In the youth division, Ng Kai Yi collected two golds and two silvers across individual and duet events. In the junior division, Lee Wang Chun also impressed by winning three gold medals in daoshu, gunshu and duet.
Hong Kong also excelled in sanda. Yau Siu Dip, competing in the girls’ youth 52kg class, beat opponents from South Korea and Macau, China to reach the final. She then defeated a mainland Chinese athlete 2 to 1 after three rounds, securing Hong Kong’s first ever girls’ sanda gold at the championships.
(4) Rex Tso Moves Closer to World Title Shot After Manila Victory
(Photo Credit: HK01)
Hong Kong boxer Rex Tso moved a step closer to an IBF world title shot after stopping Filipino fighter Genisis Libranza in the third round to win the IBF Pan Pacific bantamweight belt in Manila.
Tso, fighting in the Philippines capital on Thursday, overwhelmed Libranza with aggressive pressure before securing a technical knockout in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds. With the win, he adds the IBF regional title to his collection and has now captured regional belts recognized by all four major boxing organizations.
The 37 year old improved his professional record to 24 wins, no losses and one draw, with 15 victories coming by knockout. After the fight, Tso said the belt carried major significance and described an IBF world title challenge as his next target.
The former unbeaten star, who returned to professional boxing last year, also thanked fans in Hong Kong and overseas for continuing to support him after his time away from the ring. He said he tried to seize every opening during the fight, though he also admitted he became too eager at times and was caught by a few heavy punches.
Tso added that a previous draw had only sharpened his focus, while his team is now seeking tougher opponents to prepare him for a world level test.
