Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai (left) competes against South Korea’s Song Sera during the women’s epee team finals at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday. South Korea won with a score of 36-34. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong is so close to another historic record. With 10 days to go in the 19th Asian Games, the city has secured 44 medals and counting, just one step away from the previous record of 46, set in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2018. 

The medal collection covers sports that have long been Hong Kong’s forte — fencing, swimming, windsurfing, and rugby — bringing some household names back into the spotlight as they rise to meet lofty expectations. 

Additionally, there have been successful attempts at new disciplines, such as golf and esports, allowing lesser-known characters to tell their stories.

Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey competes in the women’s 200m freestyle final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Aquatic Sports Arena on Sept 25. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

The city’s young men and women have propelled Hong Kong to fifth place in the total medal table and ninth in terms of golds, and they are not giving up on challenging the sporting powerhouses for one moment. 

These heartening results are not only dreams come true for so many hardworking athletes, but also confirm that the city is on the cusp of realizing its vision to popularize sports within the community, elevate elite sports to new heights, and establish Hong Kong as a premier hub for major international sports events. 

Through the lens of China Daily photographer Andy Chong, these inspiring images invite everyone to once again applaud the “can-do” spirit that defines Hong Kong.

Hong Kong retains its men’s rugby sevens title, defeating South Korea by a score of 14-7 in the gold medal match at the Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Athletics Field on Sept 26. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong soccer athletes compete in the men’s quarterfinal against Iran at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sunday. Hong Kong won the match with a score of 1-0. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong esports athletes compete against the national team during the Dream Three Kingdoms 2 final match at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Saturday. The national team won the gold medal. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong wushu athlete Samuei Hui Tak-yan competes during the men’s taijiquan and taijijian all-round at the the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou at the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre on Sept 25. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong athlete Wong Chun-ting competes against the national team during the table tennis men’s singles semifinal match at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Monday.(ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong athlete Ng Kiu-chung performs his routine during the men’s rings final of artistic gymnastics at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Thursday. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong golfer Kho Taichi plays in the men’s individual golf competition at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sunday. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)