Bronze medalist Sarah Lee Wai-sze of Team Hong Kong reacts during a medal ceremony for the track cycling women's sprint race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug 8, 2021, in Izu, Japan. (CHRISTOPHE ENA/ AP)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's star cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze won the bronze medal in the track cycling women's sprint at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday morning. 

The 34-year-old secured Hong Kong's sixth medal at the Tokyo Games after beating Emma Hinze of Germany. Kelsey Mitchell of Canada took the gold after winning over Ukraine’s Olena Starikova, who had beaten Lee in the semi-finals earlier on Sunday.

With an unprecedented 6 medals, this is Hong Kong's most successful Olympics, tripling to 9 the city's total haul of Olympic medals. 

This is the second Olympic medal won by Lee, who first captured a bronze medal in the Women's Keirin event at the London 2012 Olympic Games

Karate exponent Grace Lau Mo-sheung secured the city’s fifth medal when she won a bronze on Thursday, the same day  Hong Kong's table tennis team defeated Germany to win the bronze medal in the women’s team event. 

They followed Edgar Cheung Ka-long’s gold in fencing and the two silvers from Hong Kong swimming star Siobhan Haughey. 

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor congratulated Lee, who now has two Olympic medals under her belt. She first captured a bronze medal in the Women's Keirin event at the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

"Lee Wai-sze is the first Hong Kong athlete who has won medals at two Olympic Games. She has demonstrated that her competence and determination have passed the test of time, and she has become a Hong Kong legend with her brilliant results. All Hong Kong people are overjoyed at her achievements,” Lam said.

"The Hong Kong Velodrome has provided Hong Kong cycling athletes with a top-notch competition and training venue in recent years. The cycling team has also collaborated with a local university to leverage scientific research achievements to enhance the performance of athletes,” she said.

ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics: HK's Sarah Lee advances to women's sprint semis

“The success of Lee Wai-sze and the cycling team has provided insights into the direction of sports development and training of elite athletes. We will attach more importance to the allocation of resources in these areas," Lam added.

Legislative Council President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, on behalf of all LegCo Members, issued a letter to congratulate Lee, her coaches and training team.

Sarah Lee Wai-sze of Team Hong Kong reacts to winning the bronze medal during the track cycling women's sprint race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug 8, 2021, in Izu, Japan. (CHRISTOPHE ENA / AP)

 "After winning a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Ms Lee has once again competed with the best cyclists in the world and achieved remarkable results with her unparalleled determination and vigour. She has not only brought glory to Hong Kong, but has also set a new milestone in Hong Kong's sports sector," Leung said.

"Ms Lee's strength and determination are exceptional. Throughout the series of races, she was indefatigable in overcoming the twists and turns. Ms Lee's demeanour of having no conceit in victory and no despair in defeat is a model for athletes,” he added.

Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai also congratulated Lee and thanked her coach, Shen Jinkang, and his team for their performance. 

“Lee Wai-sze has made excellent achievements in Olympic Games, bringing so much joy and surprises to the sports sector in Hong Kong. She becomes a role model for Hong Kong athletes. I'm thrilled that the efforts of her and her team have been fully recognized in the international competitions," he said.

ALSO READ: Lam expects good results from HK athletes at Tokyo Olympics

The Non-official Members of the Executive Council also extended their warmest congratulations to Lee and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to her coach and the cycling team.

“With her great perseverance and outstanding strength, Lee Wai-sze stayed ahead of other competitors from all around the world and captured the bronze medal in the event, fully demonstrating the can-do spirit of Hong Kong athletes," said Convenor of the ExCo Non-official Members Bernard Chan.

“We are thrilled that the excellent results achieved by her and the cycling team is testimony to the capability of Hong Kong athletes and the input in sports development of Hong Kong," he added.

On Saturday, Lee defeated Katy Marchant of Great Britain 2-0 in their best-of-three quarterfinal at Izu Velodrome to keep alive her hopes of winning a medal. 

Lee is the first Hong Kong world champion in women's cycling competitions. As a full-time athlete since 2004, she has brought Hong Kong honour in the international sporting arena with outstanding results, including gold medals in various competitions of the Asian Games in 2010, 2014 and 2018 as well as gold medals at the world championships in 2013 and 2019.

Sarah Lee Wai-sze of Team Hong Kong reacts after winning the bronze medal during the track cycling women's sprint race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug 8, 2021, in Izu, Japan. (THIBAULT CAMUS / AP)

Karate exponent Grace Lau Mo-sheung secured the city’s fifth medal when she won a bronze on Thursday, the same day  Hong Kong's table tennis team defeated Germany to win the bronze medal in the women’s team event. 

They followed Edgar Cheung Ka-long’s gold in fencing and the two silvers from Hong Kong swimming star Siobhan Haughey.