PUBLISHED ON 30 MAR 2025
There were wild scenes of celebration on the victory dais as Argentina men toasted the opening of the brand-new Kai Tak Stadium with their first-ever Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens title on Sunday.
Los Pumas overcame France 12-7, holding their opponents off during a tense opening period before turning on the style in the second half.
For coach Santiago Gómez Cora it was a win that was a long time coming, given he’d played when Argentina lost to England in the Hong Kong Sevens final of 2004. But the look on his face – and noise from his players as they sang and they danced – told how much it meant to everyone involved.
“It was one of my dreams, to win this one,” he said. “When you talk about sevens it’s all about Hong Kong. When you win here as a coach or a player it is like nothing else.”
Earlier the all-conquering New Zealand women had made it three Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens titles in row as they rallied to overcome their arch-rivals Australia 26-19 – and it was for captain Sarah Hirini a sense of mission accomplished.
“We wanted to be the first to win here at the new stadium now no one can ever take that away from us now,” she said. “The fans have turned out all three days. The South Stand's been rocking. We love coming to Hong Kong and hopefully it's bigger and better again next year.”
The finals capped a day that had seen 38,352 people throng to the Kai Tak Stadium for its inaugural final, (bringing the three-day total to over 110,000 spectators), and they had thrilled to a performance from English rockers Kaiser Chiefs, before it was all closed out with fireworks lighting up the night sky.
“What a weekend we’ve had,” said Chris Brooke, Chairman of organisers Hong Kong China Rugby. “As always, the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens has brought out the best from the best players in the world and Argentina and New Zealand have both proven themselves worthy champions.
“We thank the fans, both the locals and those who have flown in for the occasion, for making our tournament unlike any other in the world. They have come in record numbers and have helped us celebrate as only the Hong Kong Sevens knows how to. But this is only the beginning, and we look forward to sharing an exciting future."
Hong Kong, China helped set the mood with two victories in the Melrose Claymores – and standout Max Denmark was quick to share the victory with the city.
“This new place is just incredible and this is the best feeling in the world. It's now our home and the fans are what make it our home,” he said.
The location’s history was remembered with an afternoon fly past by a Cathay Pacific A350, a nod to this year’s 100th anniversary of the Kai Tak Airport that once inhabited the site on which the stadium now stands.
But the Kai Tak Sports Park is charting a new course for the district – with the Kai Tak Stadium at its heart. The Hong Kong Sevens was the first major international sporting event to be hosted by the new stadium and the success of the weekend’s tournament augurs well for the facility, and for Hong Kong’s push to further strengthen its position as one of the world’s great sporting and cultural destinations.
World Rugby chair Brett Robinson took in all the action, and said he was thrilled with the tournament and by the future.
“This an incredible stadium,” he said. “For someone that's here for the first time, to observe the fans, their engagement in the event, the engagement in what's happening around the event, you couldn't be happier, and it's just an incredible facility, and I think everyone that's here is just so appreciative of the quality of what they're able to experience.
“I think it's just amazing for rugby also. Looking into the future, what other events could come here outside of the Sevens programs? Some of the major unions are here, so what other games could be brought here potentially into the future? It's just such an incredible facility.”
The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolises intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory’s sports calendar.