Hong Kong's epee fencers and their coach take a selfie with their dusty uniforms after winning a bronze medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Sept 29, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Further success expected on Saturday as multiple teams through to finals 

The Hong Kong team on Friday added a silver medal in the women's omnium points race in track cycling, and three bronzes - in the men's epee team competition in fencing, the men's team competition in squash, and the women's 4x100m medley relay in swimming - to its growing collection at the 19th Asian Games.

The city's athletes have now secured medals on six consecutive days, since the competition started in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

The feat pushes the city's medal count up to 36, fourth among all competing regions. The 36 medals consist of five golds, 13 silvers, and 18 bronzes.

In the women's omnium points race final on the cycling track, Hong Kong's Lee Sze-wing came up short against Japan's Kajihara Yumi to win the silver. With this latest medal, she has claimed two second-place finishes and one bronze at this year's Asian Games.

READ MORE: HK edge India to meet Malaysia in women's squash final at Asiad

In the men's epee team quarterfinal on Friday, Hong Kong defeated Uzbekistan, securing a spot in the semifinals in which it lost to Kazakhstan, securing a bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong athletes secured places in numerous finals on Friday and were positioned to launch a bid for the highest sporting honor in Asia in various events, including esports and swimming

The latest bronze in epee was the ninth medal for the Hong Kong fencing team at the Hangzhou Games - the highest number of medals achieved by the team in one single Asian Games.

The Hong Kong squash team was beaten by Pakistan by a score of 2-1 in its semifinal match and secured a bronze medal.

On Friday night, the Hong Kong women's swimming team, led by star competitor Siobhan Haughey, took fourth place in the 4x100m medley relay. However, as the third-place finisher Singapore was disqualified, Hong Kong was awarded the bronze medal.

ALSO READ: Give the game a try, urges HK rugby boss

With the conclusion of all swimming competitions on Friday, the Hong Kong swimming team achieved its best-ever performance at the Asian Games by winning a total of seven medals, including two golds, two silvers and three bronzes.

An athlete of the Hong Kong, China Team (left) competes during the Men's Épée Team Semifinal Match between Hong Kong, China and Kazakhstan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Sept 29, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Meanwhile, Hong Kong athletes secured places in numerous finals on Friday and were positioned to launch a bid for the highest sporting honor in Asia in various events, including esports and swimming.

During Friday morning's semifinals for the Dream Three Kingdoms 2 esports event, the Hong Kong team defeated Thailand 2-0. Hong Kong now will face the national team in Saturday's final.

The team has ensured at least a silver medal in esports, which will be the first for Hong Kong at the Asian Games. The event became an official Asian Games competition for the first time this year.

READ MORE: Mongolia edges Hong Kong of China in men's 3x3 basketball

On Friday morning, Hong Kong triumphed over India in the women's team semifinal in squash, guaranteeing the team a spot in the final and a chance to win gold.

The Hong Kong team will compete against Malaysia at 1 pm on Saturday and attempt to defend its 2018 Asian Games championship.

In the men’s doubles table tennis event, Hong Kong’s Ho Kwan-kit and Wong Chun-ting secured a 3-1 win against Tajikistan, earning a place in the top eight.

On Saturday noon, the duo will face Chinese table tennis stars Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin to vie for a spot in the quarterfinals. 

ALSO READ: HK team earns 4 silver, 1 bronze from traditional strengths

As the track and field competitions started on Friday, more Hong Kong athletes entered the field.

In the 20km race walk final, Hong Kong’s Chin Man-kit ranked 10th and Ching Siu-nga sixth in men’s and women’s competitions respectively. The gold and silver medals in the two events both were won by players of the national team.