Setting Up Success: Hong Kong’s Volleyball Journey Through 2023

In a year dominated by volleyball titans in events like the 2023 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), EuroVolley, and the FIVB Olympic Qualification Tournament, lesser-known squads also fought valiantly on their respective stages. Hong Kong’s volleyball team, captained by the indefatigable Chim Wing Lam, scripted their own narrative of determination and progress in 2023. Volleypolis sat down with Captain Chim to dissect the year’s events and the team’s admirable journey.

Hong Kong’s volleyball players, much like their global counterparts, exemplify commitment and perseverance. Captain Chim Wing Lam and her comrades stand as a testament to this, juggling professional careers alongside their volleyball aspirations. The team’s story through 2023 is a compelling one of balancing competitive sport with everyday life.

The team’s tournament schedule was rigorous, with a focus on regional competitions where they could more realistically measure their growth and challenge their abilities. They started their year at the AVC Challenge Cup, a platform where they had previously shown their capability by clinching the title. They then moved on to the World University Games Chengdu 2021, followed by the AVC Championship, and closed the year with the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.

During the AVC Challenge Cup, the Hong Kong team entered the fray as the defending champions, with Chim Wing Lam having clinched the MVP award in the previous tournament. However, this year’s competition saw an influx of stronger teams, placing Hong Kong in the highly competitive Pool B alongside the formidable Chinese Taipei and Iran. Faced with such stiff opposition, the team fought valiantly but ultimately failed to progress beyond the preliminaries, finishing in 9th place. Nevertheless, the highlight for the team was their encounter with Iran, which extended to a gripping five-set match. Captain Chim viewed this intense battle as a crucial stepping stone in the team’s ongoing development.

Following their campaign at the AVC Challenge Cup, the Hong Kong volleyball team competed at the World University Games in Chengdu. According to Chim, the tournament was approached with a sense of anticipation and excitement, presenting an opportunity to compete against teams from beyond Asia, which is an uncommon occurrence for them. The team demonstrated exceptional chemistry and performance throughout the tournament. For Chim, participating in such a global event was a dream come true. They clashed with powerhouses like Brazil, Germany, and Italy, and notably triumphed over the Czech Republic in the match for 7th place, securing their victory in straight sets.

The AVC Championship was challenging for Hong Kong, as they finished in 11th place. The tournament was particularly tough due to the absence of key players like Pang Wing-lam and Fung Tsz-yan, who had professional commitments. Captain Chim embraced this as an opportunity to focus on team building, leveraging the championship as a training camp for the players.

The Hong Kong volleyball team concluded their year with a challenging stint at the Asian Games, where they were placed in Pool D alongside Japan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan. Despite a commendable performance against Japan in their opening match, they were ultimately defeated. The subsequent match against Kazakhstan with high hopes from previous match proved difficult, with the team struggling to find their rhythm and succumbing to a straight-sets defeat (13-25, 12-25, 15-25). This loss was particularly disheartening, leaving the entire team in tears afterwards. Nonetheless, Chim found solace in the team’s solidarity through the ordeal.

Following their elimination, the Hong Kong team was immediately thrust into classification matches, a daunting prospect after such a disheartening defeat. Chim described the situation as challenging, but they managed to rise above it, securing victories against Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Nepal. This led them to the 9th place match against India. Chim emphasized the team’s conscious effort to move past their earlier setbacks and the importance of maintaining clear communication. Although they narrowly lost to India with a score of 3-2, there was a collective sense of satisfaction. The team was content knowing they had given their all and displayed commendable performance throughout the match.

In reflection, Chim Wing Lam shared a blend of pride and yearning. While the team did not reach all of their goals, they found solace in improved match results compared to previous seasons. This mixed outcome has prompted a recommitment from players who were contemplating retirement, inspiring them to aim for higher achievements at the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya.

The Hong Kong volleyball team emerged from 2023 with a meaningful chapter in their history, having demonstrated remarkable tenacity and growth in the face of formidable competition. Despite not capturing titles, their collective spirit and the lessons learned are the true victories they carry forward. With sights set on future contests, they stand united, ready to tackle the next challenge with the resilience that defined their past year.

(Featured image source: AVC)

(Reported by Boris CHUNG Bok Man)