HK looks to top 2018 Asian Games performance
The SAR is sending its largest delegation yet to the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou and hopes to improve on its 2018 performance when Hong Kong athletes captured 46 medals. Members of the delegation held a media briefing in Hong Kong on Thursday, marking the 100-day countdown to the event. Squash players Alex Lau and Lee Ka-yi will be among more than 800 athletes representing the SAR. Lau is taking part in the Games for the first time. “So many of us going together seems like a family. We can support each other and won't feel alone," the 27-year-old said. Lau, who is also the youngest representative in the men's squash team, said his expectation is to win at least a medal in both team and individual events. Lee was a member of the women's team that won gold in the Jakarta Games in 2018 and said they're ready to defend the title. “Malaysia and India are two biggest opponents in women's team events and it's hard to tell whether we can beat them or not, but of course we will try our very best to fight for the gold medal,” she said. Kenneth Fok, the sports lawmaker and Chef de Mission of the SAR delegation for the Hangzhou Asian Games, also expressed optimism about the performance of Hong Kong athletes, hoping they could surpass their 2018 achievements. “I'm not going to put a number on it, but I think not just me, I think the whole of Hong Kong is excited to see their performance,” he said.  “But then again, let's not just look at the medals tally. We should also understand the athletes at different situations and how they came to the podium, how they came to the competition. The story is more important as well.” Five years ago in Jakarta, the SAR team achieved its best-ever performance at the Asian Games, winning 46 medals in total with eight gold, 18 silver and 20 bronze. The Hangzhou Games, set for September 23 to October 8, are the third Asian Games to be held in China. The event was postponed for one year because of the pandemic.