CITY’S RUGBY SEVENS SQUADS SET FOR MEDAL DEFENCE AT XXTH ASIAN GAMES

[Hong Kong China, September 24 2026]:  The men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China are set to depart for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 where both hope to repeat podium finishes from 2022.  Hong Kong China’s men’s team are two-time defending gold medalists, while the women won the city’s first rugby sevens women’s medal with bronze in Hangzhou, China four years ago. 

The men enter in hot form after winning the first Asia Rugby Sevens Series event last month in Suzhou, China. Hong Kong China looked strong in the regional competition where they faced off with other teams participating in the 12-team men’s event in Japan from 1-3 October.

In Japan, Hong Kong China top Group A ahead of fellow medal contenders China, and Malaysia and Uzbekistan. Hosts Japan top Group B with Thailand, South Korea and Kazakhstan, while Sri Lanka head Group C with United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Philippines. 

In Suzhou, Hong Kong China beat Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Thailand, South Korea and Japan in a gold medal run that saw the squad overwhelm opponents with depth and relentless work rate.

“It was nice to get a hit out in Suzhou,” said men’s captain James Christie. “We played Malaysia and Uzbekistan, who we also face at the Asian Games, so it was good to familiarise ourselves with them, and then of course, the teams you have to advance past in the quarters, semis, and finals like South Korea and Japan. The win gave us confidence, but we always have to improve. We can't get complacent because the nature of sevens is that anything can happen if you're not on your game. 

“We will look for more of the same this tournament, staying in the present, game by game, play by play - but it's always good to have that confidence, if we focus on our game, getting our little things right and executing our basic skills, we'll be in a good place,” he added.

The squad for the XXth Asian Games is substantially similar to that in the Asia Rugby opener with 11 of the group named for Japan, including Christie, who featured as an emerging player in 2022 and returns as squad captain in 2026.

“My first Asian Games in Hangzhou was amazing. I didn't understand the magnitude of the event then, but playing in it really opened my eyes to what it is - the best athletes in Asia under one roof all vying for a gold medal. It happens every four years, so you don't get many in your career, so it's very special to be able to participate. 

“On the pitch, winning the semifinal against Japan in extra time, and then in the final against South Korea, winning a close game 14-7, that memory will stay with me for a very long time. It's a lot of hard work, but we live for these moments. We want to play in these high-pressure tournaments.

“Returning to the Games as captain and leading the team out is a huge honour, but the experience in the team speaks for itself. Cado is going to his 4th Games, which is an unreal achievement. Max, Ale, and Liam are all going for their third Asian Games gold - that experience speaks for itself,” said Christie.

Alongside Cado Lee, three of the team will be hoping to add a third gold to their personal trophy cabinets with Alessandro Nardoni, Max Denmark and Liam Herbert earning a 3rd straight Games selection. All have been indispensable parts of Hong Kong China’s rugby sevens success.

Among those making their Asian Games debuts are Bryn Phillips, Callum McCullough, Harry Sayers and Matteo Avitabile, who have also been participating in the city’s representative XVs programme as Hong Kong China Rugby prepares for a debut Rugby World Cup appearance in 2027. The city’s cadre of emerging sevens stars are, of course, well represented with the fresh legs of next gen players Julien Bourron, Matt Rickard, Juan Esono Mba Oyana and Rory Stewart-Cox all key to fuelling Hong Kong China’s rotational attacking capabilities.

For Lee returning to the final would be an important moment in a career full of rugby milestones.  

“My fourth Games, and likely my last; we have won gold on the last two editions so we are fighting to try for three in a row. There is pressure, but our expectations are aligned with that; there is obviously pressure, but for us it is more motivation than pressure. Not many teams can win three golds in three consecutive games, Japan has done it in rugby, and now we have a chance to achieve the same feat,” said Lee.

“I am one of the most experienced players in the team, having played three Asian Games. I hope to bring all of that experience to the team and offer encouragement to the first timers, help them to execute well and to not let the pressure situations hinder their performance, and help to keep calm during the most intense and pressured moments. 

“I think our chance of success at this Asian Games is high, as we have won twice already. Both myself and the team are confident, and, while competing hard, we will also try to enjoy the experience.”

The women’s seven is equally settled, with eight of the team having claimed the city’s first women’s rugby medal at an Asian Games in Hangzhou.  Chloe Chan joins James Christie in returning to a second Asian Games as a squad captain. 

“I am grateful and honoured to be going to my second Asian Games and this time as captain. I just hope to bring energy, bring the girls together and check in on the girls there for the first time as well. We want to enjoy the experience because it's once in a lifetime, but also to keep our focus on us and on how we can earn that medal,” said Chan.

The tireless forward will lead a team featuring seven other players returning from the last Games in Stephanie Chan Chor Ki, Chong Ka Yan, Shanna Forrest, Jessica Ho Wai On, Nam Ka Man, Natasha Olson-Thorne and Maggie Au Yeung Sin Yi.  Four players earn their first Asian Games nod, including Micayla Baltazar who is vice-captain for Japan. Baltazar is joined by Gabrielle Rivers, Au King To and attacking threat Julia Mba Oyana, who joins her brother Juan at the Asian Games, continuing a tradition of rugby sevens siblings that includes Mark and Rosanna Wright and Rowan and Lindsay Varty.

The women’s tournament at the XXth Asian Games features eight teams. Hosts Japan top Group D with Thailand, Kazakhstan and Singapore. Hong Kong China are the second seeds in a four-team Group E with China as the top seed, as well as India and Malaysia. In Suzhou, Hong Kong China beat both Malaysia and India, while losing to China in the Cup semifinal. They split their matches with nearest rivals Thailand in a fourth placed finish.

“Team spirit is very high. We have loads of energy and the team is looking great heading into the Games. Suzhou was very helpful. We basically played the teams we're going to play in the Asian Games. so it was a good trial run and there were definitely a lot of learnings from that. It’s always close against Thailand, but we've got that energy and fightback mentality going into Asian Games,” Chan added. 

Squad cornerstone Chong Ka Yan is one of six players who made their first appearance at the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018. The irrepressible Chong remains one of the squad’s most potent threats and is eager to help lead another Hong Kong China podium push. 

“The Hangzhou Games medal was a milestone for the team. It showcased all of our effort, all of the blood, sweat, and tears and work in the gym; it is a recognition that contains a lot of emotion. To medal at the Asian Games was a great moment for us and in the development of our sport, hopefully, because of that medal, we have inspired more girls to pick up rugby and to give it a go.

For Chong, this squad has grown since four years ago: “Compared to the last Games, we are stronger and more experienced. The form and understanding amongst the players is good, and we hope for even better results. Players like Chloe are mature now, and we have a lot of new players like Julia and Micayla. The whole squad is strong. Since Hangzhou, there have been four more years of practicing together, gelling and understanding how to complement the way each other plays. Now we look forward to playing great in Japan and having a chance to go for a medal,” said Chong.

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 Shing 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); Tomos HOWELLS (Skills Coach); WONG Tsz Kit (S&C Coach); Stephen MUTCH (Physiotherapist) Mark Komar (ANALYST).