Hong Kong table tennis pair Yiu Kwan-to and Ng Wing-lam bowed out of the 15th National Games mixed doubles round of 16 after a straight-sets defeat to Guangdong’s star-studded Lin Gaoyuan and former Olympic champion Liu Shiwen.
The contest, held as part of the Games co-hosted across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, showcased the gulf in experience and precision. Ng’s repeated service errors and the pinpoint placement of Guangdong’s returns proved decisive, with Hong Kong dropping each game 5-11, 6-11, and 5-11.
Yiu acknowledged afterward that the team had executed its pre-match plan but simply faced a stronger, more seasoned opponent.
He expressed gratitude for the vocal home crowd, saying the atmosphere made him value his first National Games appearance even more.
Ng echoed the sentiment, noting how the cross-border hosting brought extra warmth from local supporters cheering for Hong Kong.
She admitted the Guangdong pair’s accuracy left little room for counterplay, yet the shared regional stage felt deeply familiar and motivating.
