Hong Kong prepares for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
by HKSF 20 Sep 21:34 PDT
starts 23 September 2026
HKG Asian Games Squad 2026 © HKSF
The sailing events of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will start on 23 September 2026, and the Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China (HKSF) together with the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) recently held a "Meet the Media Session - Hong Kong Sailing Athletes" at the Sports Complex, Hong Kong Sports Institute. A strong team of 12 athletes will represent Hong Kong, China in the sailing events at the Asian Games, including Nicholas Halliday in the single-handed Men’s dinghy (ILCA 7) class; Stephanie Norton in the single-handed Women’s dinghy (ILCA 6) class; Akira Sakai and Russell Aylsworth in the Men’s Skiff (49er) class; Emily Polson and Tiffany Mak in the Women’s Skiff (49erFX) class; Ethan Kiu and Louis Polson as well as Chloe Kong and McCarley Wong in the Boys’ & Girls’ Skiff (29er) class; and Zixi Huang and Tiago Salgado in the Girls’ and Boys’ dinghy (ILCA 4) class.
VIP guests invited to the media session included Dr. Karl Kwok, BBS; as well as Head Coach Harris Tsolis and other coaches Rory James Godman, and Nikolaos Papageorgiou. In his welcome speech, Honorary President Dr. Karl Kwok expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the steadfast support from the Hong Kong Sports Institute and Mr. Tony Choi. Head Coach Harris Tsolis also highlighted that the team’s hard work is clearly paying off with standout achievements, alongside young rising talents who have already achieved significant results at an international level.
Nicholas Halliday enters the Asian Games campaign following an extraordinary run of form. Halliday secured a historic Gold medal at the 15th National Games—the first-ever National Games gold in Hong Kong sailing history—alongside capturing the 2025 ILCA Asian Championship title and placing 10th at the 2026 ILCA 7 World Championships, marking Hong Kong's best-ever result in an Olympic Dinghy Class Senior Worlds.
Joining him in single-handed racing is Hangzhou Asian Games Silver medallist Stephanie Norton (ILCA 6), who added a Bronze at the 2025 ILCA Asian Championships to her accolades. In the double-handed classes, Hangzhou Asian Games 49er Bronze medallists Akira Sakai and Russell Aylsworth continue to challenge the Asian's best, while Emily Polson and Tiffany Mak (49erFX) carry strong momentum after finishing 4th at the National Games and 7th at the 2026 49er Junior World Championship.
In the 29er class, Ethan Kiu and Louis Polson have enjoyed a brilliant year by capturing Gold at both the 2026 29er Asian Championship and U17 European Championship, alongside a World U17 Boys Bronze. Fellow 29er pair Chloe Kong and McCarley Wong delivered equally impressive performances, claiming Bronze at both the 2026 29er Asian Overall and European Championship Female Division.
Meanwhile, ILCA 4 sailors Zixi Huang—the youngest member of the team and winner of the 2025 ILCA 4 Asian Championship in girls division —and Tiago Salgado (2nd in 2025 ILCA 4 Asians Boys U16) have proven their capability with solid 6th and 12th place finishes respectively at the 2026 ILCA4 World Championships.
With a powerful mix of proven Asian Games medallists and rising youth talents, the Hong Kong Sailing Team finished its intensive preparations under the coaches in Japan last week. With strong momentum across all classes, the team is fully focused and eager to bring home medals and honours for HKG from Aichi-Nagoya.