Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 81 Week of 7 September 2026
Hong Kong players claimed both gold and silver in the men’s singles final of the BWF Super 750 China Masters for the first time.
(2) AI and Big Data boost Hong Kong Team’s Training Efficiency
The Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme (SRFS), backed by a joint fund from the Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club extended to 2028, is using artificial intelligence and big data to sharpen preparation for the Asian Games and Asian Para Games.
(3) Hong Kong Golden Bulls eye CBA promotion pathway after league reform
The Chinese Basketball Association plans promotion/relegation playoffs; the three-time National Basketball League (NBL) champions hope to compete for a place in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) in 2027.
(4) Liu Xiang finalised buyout from Shanghai Sports Bureau and donates 11 years’ salary
The Olympic champion completed his severance and donated nearly RMB 983,000 in accumulated wages and subsidies to Tibet mudslide relief.
1. Hong Kong “Derby” at China Masters: Jason Gunawan beat Lee Cheuk-yiu for historic men’s singles title sweep
(Photo Credit: HK01)
In a historic all-Hong Kong final at the BWF Super 750 China Masters, 22-year-old Jason Gunawan defeated experienced teammate Lee Cheuk-yiu 21-9, 21-16 to claim the men’s singles title. It was the first time Hong Kong players had contested both places in a Super 750 or higher final, and Jason’s victory marked Hong Kong’s first title at this level.
Jason reached the final after a series of upsets, including straight-games wins over world No. 1 Jonatan Christie and a comeback victory against world No. 5 Anders Antonsen. Lee also advanced by defeating several strong opponents, among them former Hong Kong teammate Angus Ng Ka-long and world No. 2 Christo Popov, securing his first Super 750 final appearance.
The final showcased contrasting styles: Lee’s powerful attacking play versus Jason’s composure and consistency. Jason took a commanding lead in the first game and maintained control in the second despite a mid-game fightback from Lee. After the match the two players presented their trophies to coach Wong Choong-han, who could not hide his delight at the double success.
Jason, whose father is an Indonesian-Chinese former provincial player, collected US$87,500 in prize money and 11,000 ranking points. Lee earned US$42,500 and 9,350 points. The result is expected to lift both players’ world rankings significantly and boost Hong Kong badminton’s profile heading into the next Olympic cycle.
2. AI and Big Data boost Hong Kong Team’s Training Efficiency
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
The “Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme” (SRFS), jointly financed by the Hong Kong Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club with HK$300 million, has been extended to 2028 to support athletes ahead of major events including this year’s Asian Games and Asian Para Games. By July 2026, SRFS had already approved 32 projects covering sports science and sports medicine.
Dr. Daniel Lee, Assistant Director of Elite Training Science and Technology at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, explained that data is applied both in pre-competition preparation and during events. In table tennis and squash, analysts break down tactics and techniques; in swimming, every phase from the start dive and entry into the water to individual stroke movements can be examined frame by frame to improve training outcomes.
Even when competitions take place overseas, the research team can synchronise data back to Hong Kong in real time, enabling immediate technical support and tactical adjustments for athletes. Under AI and big-data assistance, the Institute aims to move “faster and more accurately”. For example, video analysis that currently takes one to two hours is targeted to be completed within one to two minutes, with 100% movement-analysis accuracy as its ultimate goal.
AI also integrates daily training data, competition statistics and physiological indicators such as blood and heart-rate readings. This helps identify previously overlooked factors and refine training programmes more efficiently, giving Hong Kong athletes a stronger scientific edge at major multi-sport Games.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202609/11/AP6aa3128fe4b01d54a282ab83.html
3. Hong Kong Golden Bulls eye CBA promotion pathway after league reform
(Photo Credit: HK01)
Hong Kong Golden Bulls, three-time consecutive champions of the National Basketball League (NBL) from 2024 to 2026, have been given a clearer route toward the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). CBA has issued draft regulations for a promotion and relegation system that is expected to take effect in April 2027.
Under the proposed format, the bottom two teams in the CBA regular season will face the top two NBL sides in two-legged cross play-offs. Clubs must also meet salary-cap and professional-entry criteria. Successful NBL teams would earn promotion for the 2027/28 CBA season.
Golden Bulls general manager Mr. Sun Xinwei said the club has always aimed for the CBA and will target another NBL title this season while strengthening the roster. Recent signings include Hong Kong player Glen Yang, former CBA No. 1 draft pick Michael Ou, and CBA veterans Hao Dong and Zhang Jiaxu; talks with a Chinese national-team player are also under way.
Venue remains a key issue. Sun identified Kai Tak Arena as the only Hong Kong facility meeting CBA standards and said the club hopes to use it as its home if promotion is achieved. In the meantime, Golden Bulls plan to stage six to ten NBL home games at Kai Tak this season, having invested over HK$1 million in a specialised court surface that can be installed in four hours.
4. Liu Xiang finalised buyout from Shanghai Sports Bureau and donates 11 years’ salary
(Photo Credit: Sing Tao)
Olympic 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang announced on 10 September that he completed the formal buyout of his relationship with the Shanghai Sports Bureau on 1 September, receiving a one-off payment of RMB 494,000. He stated that he now has no further association with the bureau.
On 2 September, he donated the entire sum of wages and subsidies he had received since retiring on 7 April 2015 (RMB 982,935) to the China Charity Federation, earmarked for relief work following mudslides in Tibet. He published bank transfer records to confirm the donation.
Liu, now 43, addressed the long-running “on the payroll but not on duty” debate. He said that in the 11 years since retirement he had never been given a specific post or job assignment, and questioned why the authorities only presented him with a binary choice between becoming a coach or accepting a buyout after such a long delay.
He emphasised that raising the issue publicly was not an attempt to extract special treatment through public pressure, but rather an effort to encourage more flexible and thoughtful arrangements for retired athletes who have devoted their youth and health to sport. The episode has drawn widespread attention to post-career support for elite Chinese athletes.
