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Shirley Chui

Asian Games silver medallist Ma Kwan-ching will lead a debutante windsurfing team to the regional Games in Hangzhou, with a double mission to complete this summer.
After two recent additional selection races, the Windsurfing Association of Hong Kong finalised the Asian Games squad on Friday.
Selection winners Cheng Ching-yin and Ma will compete in their respective men’s and women’s IQFoil class, and runners-up Au Ling-yeung and Ngai Wai-yan in the RS: X, with three of them making their Asian Games debuts.
“It was more than two years of stress for us to go through the selection period twice, and I’m so happy it’s finally over,” said the 25-year-old Ma, who won a silver medal in the mixed RS: One at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
Hong Kong chose their team in early 2022, but after the Hangzhou Asian Games were postponed last May because of a rise in Covid-19 cases, another two rounds of selection races were held – the Asian Championships in Stanley in December, and the IQFoil Class International Games in Lanzarote, Spain last month.

According to head coach Chan King-yin, it is “fair to everyone” because the results of all selection races were evenly split, with Ma and debutante Cheng remaining the top scorers to earn Olympic class spots.
IQFoil, the new Olympic windsurfing class that will replace RS: X at Paris 2024, will make its Asian Games debut in China, with the city’s team hoping to extend their medal streak.
“Gold is definitely my target at the Asian Games. The selection is finished. I can focus more on preparing for the Asian Games and the Paris Olympics,” said Ma, who recently took over as Hong Kong’s No 1 after Hayley Chan Hei-man decided to retire and spend more time with her family.
“I’m a low-key person. I don’t want to carry ‘HK No 1’ on my shoulder. I prefer to be the one who can inspire the youngsters, showing them if we can do it, they can do it too,” said the Hongkonger, who dominated the women’s fleet at the last two Asian Championships in Abu Dhabi and Stanley before finishing 24th in Spain.

Hong Kong has a respectable record of six gold medals, 10 silvers, and one bronze from the last seven Asian Games, including three silvers in 2018.
The Asian Games are just one of the team’s major goals this year, with the World Sailing Championships – which also serve as a Paris Olympic qualifier – taking place in The Hague, Netherlands, from August 10-20, with 11 IQFoil spots per gender distributed among the nations.
“Normally we have two Worlds to qualify for the Olympics, this time we have only one. But still, I hope our athletes can get the Olympic entries for Hong Kong in August,” coach Chan said.
“Both the Asian Games and the Worlds are my big goals. It is not easy to peak in both, but I will try to fight for the best,” Ma said.
Only Ma, Cheng, and Kikabhoy Rafeek will compete at the Worlds for a spot at the Paris Olympic Games, as Au and Ngai will focus on the RS: X for the Asian Games.
“The Worlds only qualifies by country, so we’ll have our selection races for the Paris Olympics later this year,” coach Chan said.


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Asian Games 2023

Hong Kong’s windsurfing squad set for Asian Games, with Ma Kwan-ching leading charge

Hong King windsurfer Ma Kwan-ching during iQFoil class training in 2021. Photo: WAHK

Hong Kong windsurfers (right to left) Ma Kwan-Ching, Cheng Ching-yin, Au Ling-yeung, Michael Cheng Chun-leung, Yeung Lok, Rafeek Kikabhoy, and Ngai Wai-yan. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong windsurfers Cheng Ching-yin left) and Ma Kwan-ching at the Asian Windsurfing Championships at Stanley Beach. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong to host regional windsurfing championships next month, will use races to decide Asian Games squad

Cheng Ching-yin won his first Asian title (adult class) in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong windsurfers (from right to left) Ma Kwan-Ching, Cheng Ching-yin, Au Ling-yeung, Michael Cheng Chun-leung, Yeung Lok, Rafeek Kikabhoy, Ngai Wai-yan. Photo: Handout

IQFOIL Asian Championships: size matters for Hong Kong windsurfers as they win all 8 Asian titles

Cheng Ching-yin was crowned men’s overall winner at Stanley Main Beach on Saturday. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Ma Kwan-ching was dominant in the women’s division in Stanley. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong windsurfer Cheng Ching-yin has put on weight to give himself an edge. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Asian Games: Hong Kong windsurfers eye Hangzhou 2022 medals after four golds at Asian Championships in Abu Dhabi

Hong Kong’s dominant Asian Sailing Championships trio (from left) Rafeek Kikabhoy, Au Ling-yeung and Cheng Ching-yin. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong’s squad at the Asian Sailing Championships, from left: Ngai Wai-yan, Rafeek Kikabhoy, Yeung Lok, Michael Cheng Chun-leung, Au Ling-yeung, Cheng Ching-yin and Ma Kwan-ching. Photo: Handout

Cheng Ching-yin won his first Asian title (adult class) during the Abu Dhabi Asian Championships. Photo: Handout

Ma Kwan-ching has been training on IQFOIL for two years. Photo: Handout

Sport

Hong Kong

Busy summer ahead with Paris Olympics qualifier and the Asian Games both on the horizon
Newly crowned Hong Kong No 1 Ma Kwan-ching will lead debutantes Cheng Ching-yin, Au Ling-yeung and Ngai Wai-yan to Hangzhou


Ma Kwan-ching will lead the city’s charge during a busy summer, with Paris Olympics qualifier and Hangzhou Asian Games both on the horizon.
