As the 15th National Games approach, Hong Kong athletes are increasingly competing and training overseas, aligning with global standards and injecting fresh vitality into the city's sports scene.
The team features diverse talents like Taichi Kho, the city's top golfer; rugby sevens players Jack Combes and Max Denmark, who embody cross-cultural unity; and equestrian rider Thomas Heffernan Ho, who is honing his skills in the UK to bring new expertise back to Hong Kong.
At 24, Kho, an Asian Games gold medalist, stands out as a key figure in Hong Kong's golf squad.
Since turning professional two years ago, he has achieved international acclaim, becoming the first Hong Kong golfer to win an Asian Tour event at the World City Championship and securing a men's individual gold and a historic team bronze at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Competing at Fanling Golf Course, Kho views the home advantage as a rare opportunity, expressing confidence in the team's spirit and shared ambition to deliver their best performance.
He recognizes the rising golf talent in the Greater Bay Area, noting players like China's Li Haotong and Ding Wenyi, which heightens his anticipation for a fiercely competitive tournament.
Born to an Indonesian-Chinese father and Japanese mother, Kho grew up in Hong Kong, influenced by his golfer father to take up the sport early.
He praises the supportive culture among Hong Kong golfers, where one athlete's success inspires others, creating a "success breeds success" atmosphere.
Kho also credits the Golf Association of Hong Kong and China, as well as government support, for nurturing talent and enabling athletes to excel professionally.
As for the rugby sevens squad, a vibrant mix of local and globally trained athletes, includes 28-year-old scrum-half Jack Combes and 26-year-old wing Max Denmark.
Combes, set to make his National Games debut, recalls being inspired by the team's 2013 silver medal, which he watched online as a student.
Starting rugby at age five with the USRC Tigers RFC youth team, he went to the traditional rugby powerhouse Hartpury College in the UK to study at 16, spending nine years gaining exposure to elite competition and high-level players before returning to Hong Kong as a player and youth coach at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.
Denmark, who also trained in the UK from age 16, briefly switched to athletics, which enhanced his speed and strength to bolster his rugby prowess.
A two-time Asian Games gold medalist in 2018 and 2023, he reflects on the emotional setback of missing the 2019 Hong Kong Sevens due to injury and the team's Olympic qualifier loss in South Korea that year.
Combes highlighted the team's unique strength in its diversity, noting that it includes players born and raised in Hong Kong as well as those from varied family backgrounds who have returned after living abroad.
The rugby sevens competition at the upcoming National Games will take place at Kai Tak Stadium, where Denmark described the crowd's energy as akin to an extra player on the field, elevating the team's performance to new heights.
Combes and Denmark expressed gratitude for the government and Hong Kong Sports Institute's investments in promoting rugby.
Denmark noted that the institute and government provide young athletes with platforms and opportunities to turn their passion into professional careers.
Combes pointed out that few Asian teams have access to a full-size rugby field, and the institute's state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced on- and off-field support and rehabilitation centers, are exceptional.
In equestrian events, 31-year-old Thomas Heffernan Ho will compete in the eventing competition in Shenzhen.
Ho mentioned that over the past year, he has been traveling between Hong Kong and the mainland for training, working to build a strong connection with his new horse -- Opalien Vantage Bergte -- with hopes of achieving strong results for the Hong Kong team at this event.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ho has won a team eventing bronze at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. He made history as Hong Kong's first Olympic eventing participant in Tokyo 2020.
Ho, now based in the UK for long-term training, expressed his desire to bring his overseas experience back to Hong Kong to contribute to local equestrian development and nurture promising young athletes.
He views representing Hong Kong again as a profound honor and aims to win an individual medal at this year's Games, seeing it as a strong start for the following year.
He also mentioned forming connections with national team members during the Tokyo Olympics and looks forward to competing against teams from Guangdong and Shandong.
