Rugby star Liam Herbert: From conflicts to gold medal in the national team!

Rugby star Liam Herbert: From conflicts to gold medal in the national team!

What's happening in local sports? An exciting chapter in Liam Herbert's career is about to begin! The talented rugby sevens player, who grew up in Hong Kong, will play for the Hong Kong team at the National Games at Kai Tak Stadium next month. Herbert has made a name for himself in recent years, winning gold medals at the 2018 and 2025 Asian Games. With over 30 international tournament appearances and the determination to finally take part in the Olympic Games, he shows that he is ready to take on the next big challenge. But how did this remarkable range of performance come about?

Liam was brought to Hong Kong from Guernsey at the tender age of three as his father started a new job at HSBC. He lived there until he was twelve, with the exception of a year in Malaysia, before moving to Phuket International School. However, his sporting career did not begin without difficulties: Herbert was expelled from the youth rugby program in Hong Kong, which led to a turning point in his career. As a result, he was courted by football clubs in England and took part in several trials, but ultimately he returned home. This decision caused tension with his parents, who encouraged him to pursue his football dreams. However, Herbert had a different goal in mind.

The big stage in Hong Kong

Now he faces an exciting challenge: the Hong Kong team will face Japan XV at the newly built Kai Tak Main Stadium on October 24, 2025. This game is particularly significant as it marks the Hong Kong China XV team's first match at the Main Stadium, which has been the new home of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens since March. This event represents a major opportunity as it comes on the heels of qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, secured by victory in the Asia Rugby Men's Championship in the summer. A truly historic moment for Hong Kong players, coaches and fans!

I can imagine Herbert and his team-mates wanting to celebrate this occasion as they look forward to wowing the crowd with their game. Herbert has made a name for himself in the rugby world and is considered a key player for the upcoming National Games. His motivation to follow in the footsteps of great players and win Olympic gold remains unbroken.

However, what is important not only in the rugby field is the development of the sport of wrestling in Hong Kong, led by Bitman, the president of the Hong Kong Pro-Wrestling Federation (HKWF). With top-class events and an ever-growing fan base behind them, it is clear that sport is flourishing in Hong Kong. But that is another topic that we will explore in more detail later in this magazine.

For now, we're looking intently at the upcoming games and the fate of Liam Herbert, who, with his performances and determination, is playing not only for himself but also for Hong Kong. Are we witnessing another golden era in rugby in the city? Only time will tell.

If you would like to find out more about these exciting sporting events, you can check out the official announcements at HK Rugby, as well as exciting stories about Liam Herbert and his journey South China Morning Post read up. There is also information about the development of wrestling in Hong Kong The Beat Asia.