Macao recently had the honour of hosting a large delegation of the nation’s top-performing Olympians. The national heroes, many of them gold medalists, offered candid advice and encouragement to young residents eager to make their own marks in sporting history.
Breaking (also called as breakdancing) may be relatively unknown in Macao, but a dedicated group of B-boys and B-girls has kept the scene alive for more than two decades. From humble beginnings in living rooms and public parks, local breakers like Kaka Lam and Paulo Mesa now represent Macao in battles around the world.
The fast-paced, curiously named sport has been sweeping the globe in recent years. Now Macao is jumping on board, with its first official pickleball venue opening just last month.
The Volleyball Women’s Nations League returned to Macao in 2024, featuring top teams like Italy, Japan, Brazil, China, and the Netherlands, with Brazil and Italy emerging as standout performers.
In wushu, Macao has proven itself to be small but mighty. The SAR has become one of the world’s top performers, rivalled only by lands with far larger populations. Credit for this incredible run of success goes to forward-looking investments in the martial arts.
Li Yi is one of Macao’s top wushu athletes, and a recent recipient of the Silver Lotus award. After winning gold at last year’s Asian Games, Li says it’s time to retire from the arena and start passing her skills down to emerging talents. Her goal is to grow her beloved sport in the city.
In November, the 70th Macau Grand Prix roared into town with its biggest turn-out yet. Adrenaline pumped for racers and onlookers alike. And amidst the crashes and combustion, 2023’s batch of champions emerged triumphant.
The FISU World University Games are a chance for Macao’s young sportsmen and women to show their stuff internationally. This year, in Chengdu, they performed especially well in wushu events – earning seven medals in total.
Back in 2007, Macao’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu enthusiasts were learning from videos posted online. Since then, the community has become a force to be reckoned with – now boasting several black belts.
New interactive displays, walk-through replicas and Madame Tussauds wax figures mean the museum has come roaring out of the pandemic better than ever.