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Tom Bell

The National Games will be the setting on Tuesday for the comeback of an Olympic table tennis champion and the continued emergence of a frighteningly young swimming talent.
It is also the first day of the men’s under-22 basketball tournament, being staged in Hong Kong.
Here is our guide to the day ahead.
Chen Meng is back
Plenty of eyes will be on the table tennis venue in Macau at lunchtime for a long-awaited sighting of Chen Meng.
Since her withdrawal from the world rankings last December, alongside fellow superstars Fan Zhendong and Ma Long, she has not played in a competitive tournament of note. In fact, she has been largely absent since her Olympic success in August 2024. Until now.

Competing for Shandong, Chen will take on Sun Mingyang of Shanghai at 12.30pm.
Hong Kong’s mixed doubles pair Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kem will be in quarter-final action at the Galaxy Arena at around 1.15pm.
The top seeds, they will play Liaoning’s Xu Haidong and Chen Xintong. The latter is the world No 3 women’s player, while Xu, ranked 100, plays on the international tour only sparingly, so that could be a tricky assignment.
Yu Zidi for gold?
Remember swimming prospect Yu Zidi, the 12-year-old who made a splash at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore in July?
Now 13, she is here representing Hebei, and will be on the starting blocks shortly after 8pm at Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre for the women’s 200 metres individual medley final.
Yu recorded the fastest time in the semi-finals, so will have high hopes.
Her race is preceded by the finals of the men’s 100m breaststroke, women’s 100m butterfly and men’s 50m butterfly.
Also on water
Still in aquatics, it’s the last day of diving events, and features the finals of the women’s 3m springboard and the men’s 10m platform.
Chen Yiwen, the Olympic champion, will compete in the former from 4pm.

And in rowing, Hong Kong’s Wong Sheung-yee and Leung King-wan will compete in the women’s coxless pair A final on Tuesday.
It comes a day after the city’s Chiu Hin-chun and Winne Hung Wing-yan each fell short of earning medals, finishing fifth in their respective lightweight single sculls finals.
Thrilled to represent Hong Kong
The men’s under-22 basketball tournament gets going at Hong Kong Coliseum, with the home team straight into the action for their opening match on Tuesday against Shanghai.
The Shanghai side are considered to be one of Hong Kong’s two stronger opponents in the group, Beijing being the other.
But new Hong Kong captain Ivan Yang Bo-wen said he was “excited, pumped and thrilled” rather than nervous.
“We’ve been prepping for so long, since the end of May,” he said. “I feel excited, I’m pumped and thrilled to represent Hong Kong and eight million people.”
Yang’s pep talk should inspire us all to tune in – or you can head to scmp.com/sport over the coming days and follow the team’s fortunes there.


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2025 National Games

National Games day 2 planner: Yu Zidi’s meteoric rise, Chen Meng’s comeback

Yu Zidi will swim in the 200m individual medley on Tuesday. Photo: Weibo/@孟巍威猛

Chen Meng, pictured winning gold at the 2024 Olympics, returns to action on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chen Yiwen (left, winning at the Olympics with Chang Yani) dives for glory on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

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Zhang Zhanshuo of Shandong celebrates winning the men’s 400m freestyle final in Shenzhen. Photo: Xinhua

Pan Zhanle starts the final leg of the 4x100m freestyle relay. Photo: Xinhua

Zhao Jinlan lifts in the clean and jerk during the weightlifting 45kg final in Dongguan. Photo: Xinhua

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Hong Kong’s Max Denmark is being tipped to help inspire the next generation. Photo: Asia Rugby

The Hong Kong men’s squad with their jerseys at Hong Kong Sports Institute. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

The Hong Kong women’s squad at Kowloon Walled City. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

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Hong Kong players soak up the applause from their fans following their loss in the bronze match. Photo: Eugene Lee

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Fans cheer for Hong Kong during the match against Beijing at Kai Tak Arena on Monday. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sport

China

Tuesday includes a swimming sensation and return of an Olympic table tennis champ who has not played at top level since world rankings row


Tuesday includes a swimming sensation and return of an Olympic table tennis champ who has not played at top level since world rankings row.


National Games day 2 planner: Yu Zidi’s meteoric rise, Chen Meng’s comeback

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Tuesday includes a swimming sensation and return of an Olympic table tennis champ who has not played at top level since world rankings row

Chen Meng is back

Tuesday includes a swimming sensation and return of an Olympic table tennis champ who has not played at top level since world rankings row