(Wong Hoi-tung/Photo from FISU)
Hong Kong's mixed doubles table tennis pair Baldwin Chan Ho-wah and Wong Hoi-tung claimed a bronze medal at the World University Games after reaching the semifinals in a hard-fought campaign that saw them overcome multiple challengers before falling to China's top seeds.
The duo guaranteed their podium finish on Monday when they staged a remarkable comeback against neutral athletes Vladimir Sidorenko and Elizabet Abraamian in the quarterfinals. After dropping the first two games 9-11 and 8-11, they rallied to win 4-3 (11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10) in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.
Their medal-winning run continued Hong Kong's strong tradition in the event, following Ho Kwan-kit and Doo Hoi-kem's bronze at the previous edition. The pair had impressed throughout the tournament with victories over teams from Australia, Germany and the United States.
In Tuesday's semifinal, Chan and Wong started strong against China's Zeng Beixun and Han Feier, taking the first game 11-8. However, the mainland pair responded by winning the next two games, 11-6 and 11-5. The Hong Kong duo leveled at 2-2 with an 11-4 fourth-game victory before narrowly losing two tight contests 15-13, 11-9 to bow out 2-4.
As the competition features no bronze medal match, the semifinal finish secures Hong Kong's second table tennis medal of the Games after the women's team's bronze.
Under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, the achievement qualifies the pair for HK$200,000 in recognition.
