In this file photo dated Aug 5, 2021, Hong Kong's Doo Hoi-kem, Hong Kong's Lee Ho-ching, and Hong Kong's Minnie Soo Wai-yam pose on the podium with their bronze medals after the women's team final table tennis match at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. (PHOTO / AFP)

The Hong Kong table tennis team on Tuesday said they are hoping to win medals in the team and mixed doubles events, as they unveiled a 10-strong team – 5 men and 5 women – who will compete in 7 table tennis categories at the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, to be held from Sept 23 to Oct 8.

At a press conference held on Tuesday, the team said that the original contestants for the women's team competition, two women's team bronze medalists in the Tokyo Olympics – Soo Wai-yam and Doo Hoi-kem – had sustained injuries. Soo suffered a right-hand injury and will miss the Asian Games, while Doo will participate despite her condition.

This year marks Doo's third Asian Games appearance. Being affected by a right elbow injury, Doo said she is aiming for finishing the competition smoothly this time

Lam Yee-lok (27) and 26-year-old Zhu Chengzhu will step into Soo's slot for their Asian Games debuts.

On the men's side, the team and men's doubles are aiming for the top eight positions. Wong Chun-ting, currently ranked as Hong Kong's best male player, hopes to reach round 16 in the men’s singles.

READ MORE: Asian table tennis: China into men's, women's team semifinals 

Coach Li Ching, who leads Hong Kong's women’s table tennis team, said Soo's absence is a pity for both Soo herself and the entire team, and the team's injury situation is a “test from God”.

Injuries are a common issue faced by athletes worldwide, and the coaching team swiftly adjusted their strategies in response to the circumstances, Li said. 

Regardless of the difficulties encountered, the team will try its best to compete for medals, he added.

Li also expressed confidence in his team, saying that the players were in excellent form during their training before the competition.

Doo also expressed her regret over Soo's inability to take part in the Asian Games due to her injury. Although saddened by the situation, Doo said that she respected Soo's decision. 

This year marks Doo's third Asian Games appearance. Being affected by a right elbow injury, Doo said she is aiming for finishing the competition smoothly this time. She will try her best to adjust her mindset, she said, as she is not alone in her struggle, and she has to be responsible for her team and partner.

Doo also mentioned her doubles partner, Zhu, noting that they have been paired for two years and have achieved several championships in World Table Tennis tournaments. 

Their partnership continues to progress, and Doo hopes to achieve favorable results in the Asian Games alongside Zhu, Doo added. 

Wong also said he aims to perform well in both the team and singles events but acknowledges that the draw and other factors will affect his final performance

Echoing Doo, Zhu said, she is determined to perform better and shoulder more responsibility in the upcoming competition due to Doo's injury.

As a first-time participant in the Asian Games, Zhu said she is eagerly looking forward to competing in Hangzhou, which she described as “a gentle and beautiful city”.

Lam, also making her debut in the Asian Games, expressed her excitement about the competition too, saying it was the biggest event of her career so far.

Lam transitioned to becoming a full-time athlete nine years ago and recently won a bronze medal in the women's team event at the Chengdu 2021 International University Sports Federation Summer World University Games. In the 2018 Asian Games, Lam participated as a member of the exchange team

Now as her official entry into the competition, Lam said she has made much progress over the past year, and this is the best time for her to compete in the Asian Games.

READ MORE: China adds three golds at Asian Table Tennis Championships

Wong Chun-ting expressed confidence in his partnership with Doo in the mixed doubles competition, saying he believes  they can secure a medal in this category. However, he will still approach all situations with a calm attitude, Wong said. 

Wong also said he aims to perform well in both the team and singles events but acknowledges that the draw and other factors will affect his final performance. 

On Tuesday, the Hong Kong team departed for Shanghai to prepare for the match before heading for Hangzhou.