Double happiness for HK's favorites

Hong Kong scooped two gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games yesterday after "Flying Fish" Siobhan Haughey set a new Asian record in winning the women's 100 meters freestyle and the rugby sevens team repeated as champions.

The results took the SAR's medal tally to five gold, five silver and 10 bronze medals, putting it in fifth place in the standings - just one silver behind fourth-placed Uzbekistan.

Having already taken the 200m freestyle gold a night earlier and a bronze in the women's 50m breaststroke, Haughey was simply unstoppable as she raced to a commanding lead in the 100m freestyle final.

The 25-year-old Tokyo Olympics medalist finished in 52.17 seconds, almost one second ahead of second-placed Yang Junxuan of China. Her effort broke Haughey's own Asian record of 52.27 seconds, set in 2021.

Haughey said she was "very satisfied" with her performance, as she had not broken her personal best for two years.

"I am really happy when I eventually did," she said.

Haughey will take a break today before returning to the HOC Aquatic Sports Arena for the women's 50m freestyle heats tomorrow.

Earlier in the day, the men's rugby sevens team defeated South Korea 14-7 to retain the title, giving veteran Salom Yiu Kam-shing a perfect end to his career.

Cado Lee Ka-to and Liam Doherty got themselves a try each in the final. With Russell Webb scoring both conversions, Hong Kong led 14-0 less than two minutes into the second half.

Although South Korea scored a try later, it did not stop Hong Kong from winning the game to become back-to-back champions. They also won gold at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.

Lee said after the match that they were eager to defend the title. "Many things happened, including Yiu's injury, but I am so proud of Yiu when he soldiered on," he said. "I am really happy."

Yiu, the Hong Kong delegation's flag bearer in the opening ceremony, said although they came under "immense pressure," the win proved the team could withstand pressure and do better.

Meanwhile, the women's rugby sevens team overcame Thailand 7-5 to win bronze.

Windsurfer Ngai Wai-yan secured second in the women's RS:X event behind gold medal winner Kaewduang Ngam Siripon of Thailand.

Both Ngai and Shanna Forrest, from the women's rugby sevens team, were congratulated by the Hong Kong Baptist University.

Fencer Ho Wai-hang managed a bronze in men's epee after succumbing to Japan's Akira Komata 15-12 in the semi-finals, marking the men's epee team's first Asian Games medal in history.

The Hong Kong equestrian team, consisting of Samantha Chan, Annie Ho Yuen-yan and Jacqueline Siu Wing-ying, placed third in the dressage team event, the first-ever team dressage medal at the Games for Hong Kong.

Michael Lee Tze-hau, chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and president of the Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, said the club is proud and delighted to witness the "milestone."