Asian Youth Games success hints at coming golden generation of Hong Kong athletes
Swimmers add exclamation point to delegation’s historic performance in Bahrain, with medal tally highest ever
Hong Kong’s athletes wrapped up their Asian Youth Games on Thursday in Bahrain, with the city’s swimmers putting the exclamation mark on a historically great performance.
Tsui Yik-ki and Man Wui-kiu bagged gold in the men’s and women’s 50m breaststroke, with the Hong Kong team also adding three silver and two bronze to the night’s haul.
Man’s time of 32.02 seconds was a games record and brought her home ahead of teammate Claire Cheung Wing-yi, who touched the wall in 32.36, with Thailand’s Natthakitta Leekitchakorn third in 32.45.
In total, the city’s swimmers took home 28 medals between them, with 11 gold, 12 silver and five bronze, leaving the team second only to China.
Among that golden haul, 16-year-old Li Sum-yiu won four of her own in the 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and as a member of the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team.
Success in the pool ballooned Hong Kong’s overall tally to 36 across the different sports, with the 13 gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze the most the city’s athletes have ever managed at a youth Games.