Rugby sevens fever swept the 15th National Games! Hong Kong and Jiangsu emerged victorious, claiming the gold medals in the men's and women's divisions, respectively. Let's dive into the thrilling details of these hard-fought matches.
The Hong Kong men's team showcased their dominance, going undefeated throughout the tournament. In the final clash against Shandong, they secured a hard-earned 26-19 victory. Fong Kit-fung ignited the scoring with an early try, setting the stage for a strong performance. Liam Herbert and Bryn Phillips added to the tally, while Shandong fought back valiantly with strategic substitutions and scores from Ma Haoxiang and Liu Luda. However, Hong Kong's early lead proved insurmountable, leading them to the championship.
In the women's final, Jiangsu displayed their prowess, defeating Shandong with a final score of 35-12. Hu Yu's early try, followed by Chen Keyi's successful conversion, set the tone. Jiangsu continued to widen the gap, despite Shandong's attempts to mount a comeback. Chen Keyi, at 30 years old and the oldest player on the Jiangsu side, reflected on her performance, calling it a near-perfect farewell to the National Games. She rated her performance a 9.5 out of 10, highlighting the collective effort of her teammates.
In the bronze medal matches, Beijing triumphed over Jiangsu with a score of 24-14 in the men's event. Meanwhile, Sichuan secured a 5-0 victory against Anhui in the women's competition.
But here's where it gets interesting... The impact of these victories extends beyond the games themselves. These results highlight the growing popularity of rugby sevens in China and the dedication of the athletes. What do you think about the future of rugby in China? Share your thoughts in the comments!
