Hong Kong student Adam Mak Sai-ting set a new city record late Sunday night at this year’s FISU World University Games, clinching a silver medal in the men’s 200m breaststroke with a 2-minute-10.53-second wall-touch.

Mak’s podium finish marks a significant milestone, as he is the first male swimmer from Hong Kong to earn a medal at the prestigious games.

ALSO READ: 2025 FISU: HK bags two more bronzes, ranks 12th in medals tally

Mak, who studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, follows in the footsteps of notable female medalists Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, who claimed two golds in 2017, as well as Hannah Wilson (two golds in 2009) and Stephanie Au Hoi-shun (silver in 2015).

The silver adds to Hong Kong’s impressive medal count at this year’s Games, after Hsieh Kaylin Sin-yan’s successful defense of her women’s epee champion title, and fencer Sophia Wu’s bronze in the women’s sabre event. The city’s table tennis team also contributed with a bronze in the women’s team event.

After breaking his own Hong Kong record in the semifinals at 2 minutes and 10.61 seconds, Mak entered the final as the underdog. He trailed in fourth place for much of the race before sprinting ahead in the final 50 meters, edging out Poland’s Dawid Lukasz Wiekiera by a mere 0.01 seconds. Only Patrick Delmar of the United States finished ahead, recording a time of 2 minutes, 9.50 seconds.

READ MORE: 2025 FISU: Hong Kong fencer wins city’s first gold medal

In recognition, Mak will receive a HK$250,000 ($31,850) reward under the Hong Kong Sports Institute’s incentive scheme.

Hong Kong has sent 75 athletes to compete in 10 sports events in this year’s Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Games — which are being held in Duisburg from July 16 to 27 — facing off against around 9,200 participants from more than 150 countries and regions.

Contact the writer at wanqing@chinadailyhk.com