By Agatha Leung Nga Wing (OCA Young Reporter from Hong Kong, China)
Hangzhou, China, September 27, 2023: Hong Kong, China's men's rugby sevens team clinched their second consecutive Asian Games championship on Tuesday night, a significant win for Hong Kong's team that underscores the potential of Chinese athletes in the sport.
They defeated South Korea 14-7. Cado Lee Ka To scored the opening try in the final and pointed out that the victory solidified the notion that "Chinese are capable of competing in rugby." He expressed hope for more Chinese players to join the team.
The path to the gold medal was far from easy. In a thrilling semi-final showdown against Japan, Hong Kong demonstrated remarkable resilience. They equalized with a late try and ultimately triumphed in extra time, prevailing 12-7.
Lee acknowledged that this championship was tougher to secure than the previous one in Jakarta in 2018. He noted: "Last time, there was no expectation. This year, people knew we had the ability to win."
The Chinese star was elated about the victory and stated, "After winning at the last Asian Games, we thought we didn't need to win again. This victory proves that Hong Kong rugby can reach new heights and win multiple gold medals."
Lee also shared that he hadn't expected to compete in the Games at the beginning of the year due to a shoulder injury. He expressed deep gratitude for his teammates' unwavering support. Coach Paul John had faith in him, as did his other 11 teammates. This trust in their abilities paved the way for their gold medal triumph.
With their sights set on the future, Lee and the team are now fully focused on the upcoming Olympic qualification event in November. They have faced disappointment twice since rugby sevens was first included in the Olympics in Rio 2016. This recent victory has significantly bolstered their confidence, especially as they conquered Japan and Korea on their path to victory.
