Hong Kong Names Flag Bearers for Nagoya Asian Games Opening
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Asian Games delegation attended the official flag-raising ceremony at Nagoya Port Garden Pier on Thursday, September 17. Team leader Wong Po Kei unveiled that 3x3 basketball player Yang Bowen and women's changquan wushu exponent Shen Xiaoyu will carry the Hong Kong flag at Saturday's opening ceremony. The delegation comprises over 800 personnel competing across 38 sports at the 2026 Games.
Key Points
- Flag-raising ceremony held at Nagoya Port Garden Pier (集裝箱選手廣場) on Thursday morning; only sanda athlete Chan Ziqing attended in person as athletes are dispersed across multiple venues
- Team leader Wong Po Kei selected Yang Bowen (三人籃球) and Shen Xiaoyu (武術女子長拳) as opening ceremony flag bearers, citing the need to recognize three-ball sports athletes and wushu performers
- Hong Kong is sending over 800 team members, including approximately 580 athletes, to compete in 38 sports including three new events: padel, modern pentathlon, and wrestling
- Athletes are housed across three separate locations: the Sharona cruise ship, Villa container village, and local hotels, with no unified athletes' village
- Opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026
Why It Matters
With Hong Kong's largest-ever Asian Games contingent competing in 38 sports, the selection of Yang and Shen as flag bearers highlights the city's commitment to recognizing both team and individual sports athletes. The decentralized accommodation arrangement poses logistical challenges that the support team must navigate to ensure optimal athlete preparation for the Games' opening.
With Hong Kong's largest-ever Asian Games contingent competing in 38 sports, the selection of Yang and Shen as flag bearers highlights the city's commitment to recognizing both team and individual sports athletes. The decentralized accommodation arrangement poses logistical challenges that the support team must navigate to ensure optimal athlete preparation for the Games' opening.