Fiery hearts needed as HK athletes compete in Asian Winter Games

Ayra Wang

Hong Kong athletes have set off in their quest for Asian Winter Games glory, with the sports commissioner saying "a fiery heart" is needed to compete against the star-studded field in Harbin.

The city is sending its largest delegation of 113 athletes to the ninth edition of the Asian Winter Games taking place in the capital of Heilongjiang, China's northernmost province.

The opening ceremony is on Friday but competition starts today and will last until February14.

The Hong Kong delegation includes 74 athletes who will compete in six of the event's 11 categories: curling, ice hockey, figure skating, short track speed skating, speed skating and alpine skiing.

Commissioner for Sports George Tsoi Kin-pan said this year marks a record number of athletes representing the city, with curling athletes debuting at international multisport games.

"Participation of local athletes in international competitions is expected to increase public awareness and love for relevant sports, which can also motivate athletes to perform better," Tsoi said. "Although Harbin is very cold, I believe all our athletes have a fiery heart and I hope they can devote themselves to the competition and do their best."

The event also marks the third time China is hosting the event, which is expected to welcome more than 1,270 athletes from 34 countries - a record number of participants.

The mainland will field 170 athletes - 85 men and 85 women - who will compete in all categories.

Six Beijing Winter Olympic gold medalists are competing, including US-born double Winter Olympic freestyle skiing champion Eileen Gu Ailing.

Four-time Olympic medalist skier Xu Mengtao, who lifted gold in women's aerial ski in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, is another star to watch.

Other Olympic champions include male speed skater Gao Tingyu, who set an Olympic record in the 500-meter event in 2022, and male short track speed skater Liu Shaoang.