Hong Kong singer James Ng has realized an unlikely athletic ambition by representing the city's karate team at the 2025 Asian Senior Karate Championships in Uzbekistan, just four years after first taking up the martial art.

At 35 years old, the actor-singer competed in the men's heavyweight (+84kg) division and was defeated by a Vietnamese opponent in his opening match.

Ng's journey to competitive karate began unexpectedly in 2020 when he first started training at the age of 31. His progress led him to achieve black belt status, followed by a fourth-place finish in the previous year's National Games qualifiers.

This performance ultimately earned him a spot on Hong Kong's pre-squad and a chance to compete internationally.

In a heartfelt social media post, Ng shared that he had doubted whether someone his age could make the national team. He mentioned that he once questioned his teacher about the possibility, and now, having the opportunity to compete at such a level after starting later in life felt beyond anything he had imagined.

The performer took leave from television commitments to dedicate nine days to the tournament, acknowledging his role as an underdog against more experienced competitors.

Though technically outmatched, Ng described the experience as profoundly meaningful. He shared that the loss taught him humility, but the thrill of competing was irreplaceable. He pledged to intensify his training for future events.

Ng proudly declared himself a part-time Hong Kong athlete.

His post attracted widespread admiration, with fans praising his dedication to balancing entertainment and athletic pursuits.

HK singer James Ng adds 'National Karate Athlete' to his resume