Hong Kong swimmer Adam Mak etched his name into local sports history on Saturday night, clinching bronze in the men's 200-meter breaststroke final at the 15th National Games and delivering the city's inaugural medal in any men's swimming event at the National Games.
Competing in lane six at Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre, the 22-year-old surged from fifth at the 50-meter mark to third at 100 meters before settling into fourth at 150 meters, then unleashed a final push to touch in 2:09.93—shaving fractions off his own Hong Kong record.
Shanghai's Olympic champion Qin Haiyang dominated for gold, but Mak's podium finish capped a breakthrough campaign.
The athlete later shared his delight at rapid progress just months after posting a personal best, crediting rigorous training while acknowledging the toll of six straight days of competition.
Exhausted yet proud, he plans a brief rest.
His bronze medal in the men's 200-meter breaststroke at the 15th National Games not only brought pride to Hong Kong but also earned him a HK$150,000 cash award under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentives Award Scheme.
The Jockey Club has poured more than HK$500 million into supporting the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and the 9th National Special Olympic Games across Hong Kong and Guangdong venues, serving as the sole partner organization for the Hong Kong zone.
Its contributions span volunteer programs, citywide community and school promotions, and special viewing experiences for underprivileged groups and youth.
Nearly 100 Jockey Club volunteers also served as group volunteers in the Hong Kong zone.
Hong Kong athletes medaling at these Games qualify for further Jockey Club-funded cash awards through the Hong Kong Sports Institute.
Individual gold medallists receive HK$750,000, silver HK$375,000, and bronze HK$150,000, while team golds earn HK$1.5 million, silvers HK$750,000, and bronzes HK$300,000.
