Second seed Lee Ka Yi upset the odds to win the Hong Kong Championships 2023 national women’s title at the weekend.
Yi beat top seed Ho Tze Lok Tomato 3-1 (11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9) to obtain her second Hong Kong title after her 2021 success.
Men’s top seed Lau Tsz Kwan Alex successfully defended his title, topping second seed Leung Chi Hin Henry in straight games 11-9, 11-7, 11-7.
With the Championships coming on the back of the Olympic vote, outgoing Hong Kong coach Rebecca Chiu Wing-yin urged her charges to work on their world ranking.
“The timing is good because players have five years to prepare for it,” Chiu told SCMP.
“But we don’t know the criteria for allocations yet. Is it by region or world rankings?
“So to try improving on their rankings would be a wise move, because that will surely give them a bigger chance to play at the Games.”
In the 3/4 Playoffs, Women’s 3/4 seed Cheng Nga Ching Sara beat Tsz Yee Lam Toby in straight games (11-8, 17-15, 12-10), while Men’s 3/4 seed Wong Chi Him beat 3/4 seed Tang Ming Hong by 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, retired) to capture his runner-up title.