THREE-PEAT: HONG KONG CHINA MEN’S RUGBY 7 WIN GOLD AT 20TH ASIAN GAMES; HONG KONG CHINA WOMEN DEFEND BRONZE IN DOUBLE PODIUM FINISH

The men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China medaled at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.  

It was double anthems at the Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Japan - but not double happiness, as Hong Kong China men beat China in the gold medal match, 26-0.  Hong Kong China women defended their historic Bronze medal from Hangzhou today against Thailand in a tense 7-5 medal decider, after losing 25-12 to Japan in the semifinal.

In the showcase game, Hong Kong’s fifteens and sevens star Harry Sayers scored a first half brace (his second and third tries of the day – and sixth of the Games – the tournament lead) to cap a team effort in the final - and across the Games.  

Four-time Hong Kong China rugby sevens athlete at the Asian Games Cado Lee Ka To earned the start and played every minute as he ran out in his third straight gold medal final. 

“Four games and three golds... I’m extremely happy!” 

“⁠I want to thank my teammates. The coach knows my physical limitations, but he still let me have the opportunity and gave me the responsibility to play in this final, so I knew I had to deliver to help Hong Kong win,” said Hong Kong China rugby legend Cado Lee.

Lee was instrumental in setting up the first try as he carried the ball in a deceptive run across the pitch - luring in the China defence before releasing Sayers out wide for a 7-0 lead with two minutes left in the half. Hong Kong would score in each of those minutes with Sayers creating a try for himself after a devastating sidestep and change of direction off the base of the ruck saw him score untouched beneath the posts. Scrumhalf Bryn Phillips capped the half with a try at the hooter as Hong Kong took a 21-0 lead into the break. It was Sayer’s fourth try of the tournament. 

The second half saw China earn more possession, but Hong Kong maintained a relentless defensive effort to keep them off the scoreboard. Hong Kong China conceded just 14 points across the Games, those coming in the semifinal against Korea.   

Juan Mba Oyana capitalized on a China miscue at the restart to score from kick-off as Hong Kong China pushed its lead to 26-0.  China threatened the line on occasion but try-saving tackles from Mba Oyana and Matteo Avitabile late showed that Hong Kong China were not to be denied a third straight golden moment, winning 26-0. 

Earlier, the men came through a typically hard-fought semifinal with Korea, whom they beat for gold in Hangzhou, 35-14. 

Liam Herbert came up big on defence with a try-saving tackle early in the game to keep Korea off the board, before Sayers intercepted a Korean pass to flash 60 metres the other direction before offloading to captain James Christie for the opening try and a 7-0 lead after three minutes.  Julien Bourron was shown a harsh yellow card for head to head contact in the ruck and was sent to the sin bin leaving Hong Kong a man short. The penalty defence was immense with Herbert once again forcing a key turnover on the Hong Kong tryline. 

In attack, Sayers wrong-footed the Korean defence with a dummy pas from a ruck to complete an 80-metre short-handed score and push Hong Kong to 14-0 lead at the break after conversions from Bryn Phillips. Phillips added a try of his own to start the second half with his conversion putting Hong Kong up 21-0. 

Two nice solo tries from the Koreans in the second half made things respectable, but Max Denmark added the icing on the cake with a try he set up himself sidestepping two defenders to finish with a sprint from halfway as Hong Kong passed 28 points. It was Denmark’s fifth try of the tournament, leaving him second behind Sayers. Matteo Avitabile added a last try to push Hong Kong's final margin to 35-14 and send Hong Kong China through to a third straight gold medal final.

Hong Kong China women lost a tough battle in their semifinal against Japan, 27-12, after trailing 10-5 at the break. Hong Kong closed the margin to eight points midway through the final half after a beautiful give and go pass put Gabriella Rivers into space for a try from 50-metres. She converted her own effort to close the gap to 20-12, but Japan replied immediately with a try to send Hong Kong China women to the bronze medal match, 27-12. 

Captain Chloe Chan’s score and Gabriella Rivers’ conversion in the opening minutes of the bronze medal decider proved the difference with Thailand scoring late in the half out wide but unable to make the conversion.  

The second half was the typical tightrope affair between these two teams but an unyielding defensive effort for Hong Kong saw them shut down Thailand when it mattered to claim a second bronze in as many Asian Games - adding to the historic first Asian Games women’s rugby medal won by the group in China three years ago.

“⁠Last time it was our first medal, it was a new and fresh experience for us. This time, we felt a bit of pressure to make sure that we emulate that - to at least keep the same colour medal. 

“For many of the team, it may be their last Games, so there has been a bit more of a feeling to treasure this medal,” said talismanic scrumhalf Chong Ka Yan. 

⁠“It has been three years since the last Asian Games, and during this time we have been working towards and thinking about a medal at these Asian Games. Five years from now is a long time, this might be my last Games. But I hope this will to win, drive to win will keep burning, that the girls after us can maintain the fire, and want it just as much."

We are improving after each Games. Whether it is the girls who made it here this week, or those not selected, we are all very strong. I hope each of us continue to get stronger and wish for the chance to make the next Olympics,” added Chong.

Japan beat China in the women’s gold medal match, 10-5. The final was refereed by Hong Kong China Rugby referee Sunny Lee. 

20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Nagoya, Japan (1-3 October) 

Hong Kong China SF&OC Women’s VII

Chloe CHAN (c); Micayla BALTAZAR (vc); AU King To; AU Yeung Sin Yi Maggie; CHAN Tsz Ching Agnes; CHAN Stephanie Chor Ki; CHONG Ka Yan; Shanna FORREST; HO Wai On Jessica; Julia Mibuy MBA OYANA; NAM Ka Man; Natasha OLSON-THORNE; Gabrielle RIVERS; Women’s Staff: Paul JOHN (Manager); Andy VILK (Head Coach); CHONG Shin Hin (S&C Coach); Callum CHIA (Physiotherapist); Mark KOMAR (Analyst). 

Hong Kong China SF&OC Men’s VII

James CHRISTIE (c); Matteo AVITABILE; Julien BOURRON; Max DENMARK; Liam HERBERT; LEE Ka To, Cado; Callum MCCULLOUGH; Juan Esono MBA OYANA; Alessandro NARDONI; Bryn PHILLIPS; Matthew RICKARD; Harry SAYERS; Rory STEWART-COX. Staff: Paul JOHN (Manager); Jevon GROVES (Men’s Coach) Peter JERICEVICH (Asst. Coach); WONG Tsz Kit (S&C Coach); Stephen MUTCH (Physiotherapist) Mark Komar (ANALYST).