Hong Kong basked in the glow of more medals at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, cementing these Games as the city’s greatest ever. And a new heroine emerged in table tennis player Minnie Soo Wai-yam, who said “miracles do happen”.
Two bronze medals were won in table tennis and the debut sport of karate to move Hong Kong on to an unprecedented five, following Edgar Cheung Ka-long’s fencing gold and swimmer Siobhan Haughey’s two silvers in the pool.
There were high hopes for cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze to add another, but a disastrous semi-final for the veteran ended hopes of a keirin repeat from London 2012.
However, Lee is still chasing a sixth medal for Team Hong Kong in the sprint race this weekend, which has fast become her pet event in the years since her London bronze medal.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor congratulated the medal winners, saying she was “moved by the great perseverance and tenacity” displayed by the table tennis team and the Lau’s “marvellous performance of talent with great strength, speed and beauty”.
Never before has Hong Kong won two medals on the same day, with this haul ensuring that Tokyo 2020 has yielded more medals for the delegation than all of the previous Olympics combined – and all have been made in Hong Kong.
The women’s table tennis team took revenge on Rio 2016 silver medallists Germany, who had knocked them out on their way to the final in Brazil five years ago.
This was a coming of age for the trio of Hongkongers – Doo Hoi-kem, Minnie Soo and Lee Ho-ching – and Hong Kong table tennis, which like so many other countries used to be dominated by mainlanders.
“We are all home-grown and we have worked together and won medals in events other than the Olympics, such as the World Cup and world championships,” said three-time Olympian Lee of the first home-grown squad to win an Olympic medal.
“The result carries a big meaning as home-grown players,” Doo said, hoping that their bronze could inspire future generations.
“There are still many younger generations of players and we hope they can be brave enough to follow our footsteps,” the top-ranked singles star said. Doo beat Germany’s Petrissa Solja in their singles rubber after Soo had levelled the scores at 1-1 following Doo and Lee’s opening doubles defeat.
“This is the biggest breakthrough we have made and should give the younger generation more confidence to turn full-time. In Hong Kong, to go from being a student to a full-time athlete, it is difficult to make a decision,” Lee said.
“It was a big decision for me from a student to turn into full-time professional and hope parents and schools will be brave enough to allow youngsters to pursue their dreams.”
Lau, another HKSI athlete, had held back tears until she spoke of the support she received to pursue karate.
“I want to thank my family so much. Without their support, I could not even start as a full-time athlete,” the bronze medallist said after winning the kata medal match against Turkey’s Dilara Bozan.
Lau, too, had a message of inspiration.
“I want to talk to the next generation of karate players. You have to prepare yourself. You never know when the opportunity comes. Your ability may exceed what you think. Always prepare yourself. You might not just qualify for the Olympics but win a medal,” she said.
Tokyo 2020: Lau adds bronze after table tennis triumph – day 13, as it happened
“I feel thankful because I never thought I can be an Olympic champion, I mean I imagined it but I never thought I could really be a part of it.
“I always try to do my best on the tatami. I’m very happy to be a part of [Hong Kong’s greatest ever Olympics].”
It was a day of defying the odds.
Hong Kong’s dream bronze in the table tennis was down to Soo’s two victories in singles against Germany’s Han Ying and Shan Xiaona, players she had never beaten. What’s more Soo had not played a singles game in the team tournament before the bronze medal match when coach Li Ching decided to switch things up.
Tokyo Olympics: Grace Lau Mo-sheung, the trailblazing karateka set to finally leave her mark
“Soo was a surprise as she has never beaten the two Germans before. Especially in the first game when she came back from 10-6 down, but this is the Olympics and anything can happen,” Li said, praising the trio’s growth mentally, while the trio spoke of the support of each other.
“I could not believe the result. Unbelievable. I never thought I could win, ” Soo said, praising the Hong Kong Sports Institute coaches that helped the team along the way.
“Coach Zhang Rui told me this would be the most important match of our life,” Lee said. “We must play our best with no regrets.” They did.
“If you believe,” Soo said, “miracles can happen.”
Cycling coach Shen Jinkang said he was not “surprised” by Lee’s disappointing result.
“No one could have predicted the result in the keirin because there are many unknowns and there are bound to be some surprises. In fact, all three medal winners from the 2020 world championships couldn’t reach today’s final.
“I don’t think Sarah will be affected by today’s result,” he said. “We have prepared sufficient time for her to recover after the keirin. There is no problem with her form as today’s result has nothing to do with her ability.”
