Hong Kong, China will field five female and three male gymnasts at the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya.

One of the athletes will be making her debut in more ways than one: it Li Ting-huen is appearing in the Asian Games for the first time and in rhythmic gymnastics – the first time that the SAR is represented in the discipline.

Other disciplines in which the squad is competing include trampoline and artistic gymnastics.

Eighteen-year-old Li will compete in the women’s individual all-around event.

“Recent training has become more intense," she said.

"I am very much looking forward to and excited about joining the Asian Games for the first time. I hope that I can perform at my absolute best during the Asian Games.”

Li said that having participated in the National Games and Asian Championships has helped calm her nerves for Nagoya.

“Mentally, I have managed to overcome a great deal of the nervousness and fear I used to feel on stage. I managed to turn that around and start enjoying the stage,” she said.

Ng Ka-ki, who will compete in the men's vault event, said he recently returned from a two-month training stint in Beijing.

“In Beijing, I trained with gymnasts from the national team," he said.

"I also joined their team tests. The atmosphere and the exchanges… I think it’s a valuable experience for me to train and do tests with probably the best gymnasts in the world.

"This is a very valuable chance and experience.”

Ng said he had feared he would miss out on the Games after suffering a calf muscle tear this year but, now that it has healed, his main focus is to enjoy his time on the competition floor.

Head coach Sergiy Agafontsev said the squad is ready to show their best in Nagoya.

"To our athletes, you go to Japan with all support from Hong Kong society," he said.

"Trust your preparation, stay composed... and fight for your best performance. Just do your best," he said.

Agafontsev also expressed hope that the public would not be overly concerned with the results but instead appreciate the preparation and training the athletes put in.

Gymnastics competitions at the Nagoya Asian Games will begin on Monday.



Edited by Edmond Fong