“哥，搞掂咗，第三！”
That text message delivered the defining moment of the Asian Games in Nagoya for Hong Kong track cyclist Wong Chun-ho, sparking an emotional wave for his older brother, baseball player Wong Chun-wai. While the Hong Kong cycling team finished the international multi-sport competition with two silver and four bronze medals, the men’s team sprint squad secured a historic bronze that resonated far beyond the velodrome in Izu.
Brothers Bound by Baseball Bats and Track Bikes
The Wong brothers occupy very different spaces in elite Hong Kong sport. Wong Chun-wai competes as a part-time baseball representative and veteran team member, while his younger brother, Wong Chun-ho, works as a full-time professional cyclist. Their athletic journeys remain deeply intertwined, starting from the domestic baseball diamond where both brothers originally played.
Wong Chun-ho acknowledged that his transition to cycling rescued him from a period of personal stagnation. After dropping baseball, he spent a year drifting before his older brother intervened. Wong Chun-wai connected him with the local cycling program and provided his very first bicycle, using personal funds despite their family’s modest financial background to support his younger sibling’s athletic ambitions.
A Lucky Omamori Carried to the Velodrome
Family support materialized on the track quite literally during the Nagoya Asian Games. Until the moment he rolled onto the track for his events, Wong Chun-ho kept a traditional winning amulet—an omamori—clasped tightly in his hand.
The protective charm came directly from his brother. During a trip to Japan the month prior, Wong Chun-ho mentioned that a shrine in Okayama possessed a reputation for granting victory. Coincidentally traveling through the area while preparing for his own competition, Wong Chun-wai purchased the amulets, ensuring both brothers carried the identical tokens into their respective tournament openers.
Historic Team Sprint Bronze in Izu
Competing alongside teammates Mok Tsz-chun and To Lok-hei, Wong Chun-ho helped capture the men’s team sprint bronze medal. Head coach Tatsumi Fei noted that while the overall medal tally met expectations, the absence of a gold medal carried disappointment. However, the men’s short-distance sprint podium breakthrough stands as a first in Hong Kong cycling history.
By the time his younger brother took to the Izu velodrome, the 34-year-old baseball veteran had already finished his own tournament schedule and returned to Hong Kong with the baseball delegation, unable to watch the race in person. Yet the older brother’s performance earlier in the games had already provided inspiration across sports disciplines.
Veteran Leadership on the Baseball Diamond
Wong Chun-wai completed his fifth Asian Games campaign anchoring the Hong Kong baseball team. His tournament highlights included a home run against Palestine, alongside five total hits and three RBIs across the schedule. Despite a tough opening loss against Thailand, the veteran maintained a high level of play that impressed his younger brother.
“I never gave up baseball,” Wong Chun-wai said regarding his longevity on the national team. “Even when I juggle other responsibilities during the offseason, once the season starts, I commit fully. I won’t use age as an excuse, nor will I simply step aside. I hope the younger players earn their spot by beating me out with genuine skill rather than me simply handing over the jersey.”
That persistent mindset also shaped the younger brother’s approach to professional cycling. Watching Wong Chun-wai travel to Germany earlier in his career to study professional leagues taught the younger sibling how to analyze training methods and maximize athletic potential, proving that starting a demanding endurance sport at age 20 left ample room for growth.
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