HONG KONG — Hong Kong tennis sensation Coleman Wong secured a bronze medal in the men’s singles at the National Games, but the post-match interviews garnered as much attention as his performance after he encountered an unexpected interviewer: pop culture personality and comedian Kwok Ka-tsun, known as 193 from the Cantopop group ERROR. The friendly, banter-filled exchange provided a rare glimpse into the athlete’s off-court camaraderie and buoyant spirit, even after a tough semifinal loss.
Wong, widely recognized as one of Hong Kong’s most promising tennis exports, fell to mainland player Wu Yibing in a fiercely contested semifinal. Yet, the usual solemnity of a post-game reflection was immediately dissolved when Wong spotted 193 in the press area. The youthful athlete, visibly amused, greeted the celebrity by jesting about his late arrival. “You only turn up now, and I lose,” Wong quipped, setting the tone for the lighthearted exchange that underscored their apparent strong friendship.
The Unexpected Press Conference
The unconventional interview quickly navigated between competition analysis and humorous personal digs. When Wong entered the press zone and saw 193, he burst into laughter, playfully questioning the comedian about his previous absence. 193, deflecting with a smile, simply stated, “Well, I’m here now.” Wong’s quick-witted reply—”You show up, and I lose!”—was met with laughter from both individuals, momentarily leaving 193 speechless.
Moving briefly to the game itself, 193 noted the audible support from the crowd, remarking that hearing the audience shout “Let’s go, Coleman!” and “Hold on!” gave him “goosebumps.” When finally pressed on his tactical approach for the match against Wu Yibing, whom he had played twice before, Wong maintained that there was no “special deployment.”
“This was only just missing that little bit,” Wong reflected on his performance. “I gave it my all and thoroughly enjoyed it.” He openly acknowledged a potential disadvantage: “I might have been slightly weaker because I was also competing in the doubles, and he wasn’t. But I can’t blame anyone—that was my choice.”
Beyond the Sidelines: Sport and Friendship
The duo soon returned to their familiar banter. After asking a serious question, 193 humorously confessed that he regretted seating himself in the media section rather than the supporters’ stand. Wong immediately seized the opportunity, teasing 193 about his loyalties. “You should have been sitting with the Hong Kong team, making some noise!” he retorted, highlighting the closeness that allows the pair to freely exchange jokes.
Wong also touched upon broader regional sports news, mentioning that he had watched the Hong Kong football team’s Asia Cup loss the previous day, stating it was “a real pity.” He admitted he had hoped to win his own match to lift the spirits of the Hong Kong team cohort, only to regret that he couldn’t. However, he concluded, “I gave my maximum effort, so I have no regrets.”
The interview concluded with a promotional twist. Adopting the solemn tone of a traditional sports journalist, 193 asked Wong about his future plans. Wong, sensing the renewed sobriety, laughed and pleaded: “Can we not be so serious? I genuinely have no plans right now, but I’ll let you know when I do.”
It was then 193’s turn to cheekily leverage the spotlight. “I actually had other commitments today, but I am keeping my word by showing up,” 193 admitted. “Actually, I released a new song today called Your Name My Hymn. Could you give it a plug?” Wong, seemingly indulging his friend, complied: “Keep an eye out for my friend’s new song and make sure you support it.” The entire exchange concluded amidst peals of laughter, underscoring the strong personal connection between the rising tennis star and the entertainment figure, even as the professional sporting environment demands focus and dedication.
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