Nagoya, Japan — Thirty-four-year-old infielder Hu Zitong has been named to Hong Kong’s baseball squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, marking his return to the national team after a 12-year absence. His selection was met with an outpouring of good-natured ribbing from teammates, who documented the moment on social media.
Hu, who will play as an infielder, last represented Hong Kong more than a decade ago. The veteran’s inclusion adds experience to a roster largely made up of younger players. In a video shared by a teammate on social platforms, Hu boards a cramped team bus and is greeted with cheers and playful demands for “space!” — a reference to his sizable presence in the narrow aisle.
“Give him some room!” teammates shouted, laughing, as others jokingly called out “Big star!” Hu responded with smiles and banter, clearly at ease among his colleagues.
Another teammate later posted a clip of Hu after a meal. In the video, a teammate asks with mock seriousness: “Are you Hu Zitong? Do I need to give you space?” Hu, still chewing, replies with a grin: “I’m hungry — don’t mess with me. There’s still room in my stomach.”
The lighthearted treatment continued throughout the day. Hu was filmed using his lanyard ID card to hide his face, prompting the teammate to caption the post: “He’s been photographed all day like a big star — now he’s just a shy guy. So cute. I can’t handle it. Don’t mess with me — his voice is just too adorable.”
A Familiar Face, A New Chapter
Hu’s recall to the national side comes at a pivotal moment for Hong Kong baseball, which has struggled to consistently compete against regional powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The team’s last Asian Games appearance was in 2018, where they failed to advance past the group stage.
“Having someone with Hu’s experience — who has faced top-level pitching and understands international competition — is invaluable,” said a team official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly. “The younger players look up to him, and his presence in the infield will stabilize the defense.”
Hu previously played in Hong Kong’s domestic league and has trained abroad. His long gap from national team duty was due primarily to professional commitments and injuries, according to local sports reports.
Broader Implications for Hong Kong Sports
The Asian Games, originally scheduled for 2022 in Hangzhou but postponed and relocated to Nagoya, will test a Hong Kong team that has invested heavily in grassroots baseball development over the past decade. Hu’s return underscores a growing trend of veterans bringing leadership to younger squads in non-Olympic team sports.
For Hu, the journey back to the national team is as much about camaraderie as competition. The social media videos, which have racked up thousands of views, highlight a tight-knit group that blends humor with high stakes.
“We’re a family,” one teammate wrote in a comment. “And like any family, we tease each other — but we’ve got each other’s backs on the field.”
Hong Kong will begin preliminary matches in Nagoya later this month. Whether Hu’s bat and glove can help the team advance beyond the first round remains to be seen, but his return has already given the squad a boost in morale — and a few good laughs.
