“I cannot believe we are finally here. Many doubted this day would happen,” remarked Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee in his Opening Ceremony speech at the Tokyo Paralympics Games.
Against all odds the delayed 16th Summer Paralympics are taking place in the presence of very few fans and amid rising fourth wave of COVID-19 infections in Japan. First held in 1964, Tokyo is the only city in the world to host the Paralympics twice. Hong Kong has already earned two bronze medals in table tennis and boccia (mixed individual) categories – whilst we’re hoping to clinch plenty more medals, a repeat success of the Olympic Games which concluded less than a month ago would be ideal – but, with 24 athletes across just eight sporting categories, it is going to be a pretty tight run for the top honour.
Scroll below for all the highlights of the Paralympic Games and the unmissable events –
The Hong Kong delegation
With a total of 126 medals till date, Hong Kong has enjoyed a remarkable streak at the Paralympic Games. Five years back in Rio, our medal haul of six – two golds, two silvers and two bronze – was considered a lackluster performance after the triumph of 2012 when Hong Kong’s Paralympians brought home 12 medals from London.
In 2021, the SAR has sent a delegation of 24 athletes, 40 coaches, National Paralympic Committee representatives, and other delegation officials. Athletes compete in eight sports – badminton, boccia, archery, equestrian, swimming, table tennis, athletics, and wheelchair fencing – hopes for outstanding honours are riding high.
17-year-old Paralympian, Wong Ting-ting claimed Hong Kong’s first medal, a bronze, in women’s singles table tennis event. The young player won the first of a best-of-five match against current world number one, Russia’s veteran star Elena Prokofeva. She beat the Russian representative 11-9 in the first game, but lost 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 to the 50-year-old. Despite missing out on gold, support and praise has poured in from all quarters for the budding local athlete.
Wong Ting-ting made her debut at the Paralympic Games marvelously and outperformed veteran players, winning the first medal for Hong Kong at the Games. We are delighted and thrilled. Given her strong will and exceptional talent, I believe that she will reach new heights of sporting glory – Chief Executive, Carrie Lam in a statement to the press
Former world champion, Leung Yuk-wing has won the second bronze medal for Hong Kong at the Boccia Mixed Individual event beating China’s Zheng Yuansen 5-4 in the play-offs. A boccia prodigy, 36-year-old won two golds at the 2004 Athens Games, just a year after his initiation in the sport, a gold in Rio and now waiting for a top spot at the Tokyo Paralympics.
The other dominant forces to watch out for are Alison Yu Chiu-yee who will participate in wheelchair fencing. Yu is outstanding on the piste, with seven golds, three silver and a bronze since her Athens 2004 debut, she doesn’t need any introduction. Ngai Ka-chuen, is a veteran in archery since 2009 but competing at the Paralympics for the first time, meanwhile 24-year-old Natasha Tse Pui-ting, is hoping to cinch medals in equestrian category.
Also Read: Add oil! Hong Kong athletes making history at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Event highlights for Hong Kong athletes
Bookmark these dates to cheer on local athletes:
Archery: August 27 to September 4
Athletics: August 27 to September 5
Boccia: August 28 to September 4
Equestrian: August 25 to 30
Swimming: August 25 to September 3
Table tennis: August 25 to September 3
Wheelchair fencing: August 25 to 29
Badminton: September 1 to 5
