Black Kites swimming season wraps with success at CIS invitational and farewell to our Year 13 swimmers
By Bradley Tang
After five months of weekly training and competitions, the Black Kites Swim Team concluded its season with the CIS Invitational Swim Meet on January 16, 2026. In the meet, our swimmers raced against numerous other Division 1 schools in Hong Kong. Despite strong competition, our swimmers broke three meet records and earned eight Gold, three Silver, and two Bronze medals in individual and relay events, bringing the total medal count to 13 from this meet alone. Overall, this brought the RCHK Black Kites to 4th place in the competition.
Black Kites swimmers record breakers included:
Yannick Yeung (Year 13) 100m Freestyle at 54.23
Bradley Tang (Year 8) 50m Breaststroke at 34.03
Boys Open Freestyle Relay (200m) - 1:43.74 Hercules Ma (Year 9), Marcus Leung (Year 10), Bono Vaid (Year 10), Yannick Yeung (Year 13)
Medal Table
Marcus Leung (left) and Bono Vaid (right) at CIS Invitational 2026.
Mr Chris Molnar, Black Kites Aquatics Director, leading warm-up at CIS Invitational 2026.
A Black Kites Swimmer on the block for Backstroke.
In addition to CIS Invitational, on November 28 - 30, 2025, Black Kites brought their biggest team ever with 28 swimmers, to Bangkok, Thailand, for the Patana International School’s Feeding Frenzy Swimming Competition. Our Black Kites swimmers won a total of 38 medals. Medals consisted of five Gold, 10 Silver, and 23 Bronze from individual and team relays. The entire team collected a total of 410.5 points, more than double the previous Feeding Frenzy 2024 at 171 points!
The Black Kites competed with some of the best swimmers in the region from 14 schools across Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. Many personal bests were achieved, and most importantly, all the teamwork demonstrated by the entire team during the race by cheering each other on, and the encouragement that was shown during the 3-day meet.
Another successful trip at Patana School in Bangkok, Thailand.
As the sun sets on the Black Kites Swim Season, we have to bid farewell to our Senior swimmers who have contributed greatly over their Black Kites athletic careers. The Year 13 Black Kites Swimmers graduating this year are Yannick Yeung, Nicholas Cox, Leanne Tse, Aspen Kwan, Axel Wong, and Haze Leung.
Various candids from over the years.
Photo credit: Leanne Tse and Aspen Kwan
Blast from the past at HKSSF, Ma On Shan Swimming Pool.
Photo credit: Leanne Tse and Aspen Kwan
When the Year 13 swimmers were asked about their experience over the years as proud Black Kites swimmers, here’s what they had to share:
Can you share any of the best memories or funny moments you had as a Black Kites swimmer?
“Having been part of the Black Kites Swim Team for the past 10 years of my life and as swim captain, I have witnessed everything that could be possible. With that, I would argue that the happiest moments during swim meets are not the competition itself, but the bus rides to the different schools, especially during the primary years. These commutes were times when the other swimmer and I would joke around, prank-call people, and share our important post-meet snacks. Even during secondary school, I was able to get to know the younger swimmers and exchange knowledge of competing schools I had picked up over the years. These moments created the long-lasting friendships I have with the people and the coaches; it is genuinely the best memories I have with the team.” - Leanne Tse
What is your favorite race or meet and why?
“I think my favourite race is HKSSF since I get to race against different schools. From this race, I can also socialize with my team members and forget about schoolwork.” - Axel Wong
Do you have any advice or a message for existing Black Kites swimmers?
“My advice to the Black Kites swimmers would be to enjoy the moment, although it’s important to have your goal in mind whether it’s hitting a PB or winning a race, what is equally important is to take home the experiences of the race whether it be the feel of the water, the cheering, the bright stadium lights, or the conversations you have with other competitors. Seeing the competition this way really helped me minimize the stress I felt before a race and kept me in a more relaxed, mindful state. Find a reason to be happy with your race. Even if you didn't perform to your best, I always like to reflect on and acknowledge improvements in my race, as well as aspects I can continue to work on.” - Yannick Yeung
“If you want to win more medals, don’t quit swimming when you’re in DP, and don’t forget to triple check with Mr Molnar.” - Haze Leung
“Make friends in training - it will help you get through the set and swim meets.” - Aspen Kwan
Mr Molnar, The Black Kites Aquatics Director, had a few words of wisdom for the Year 13 swimmers, “Thank you so much to our senior swimmers in Year 13 who will be leaving us, and the safety and comfort of our precious Hong Kong bubble, for bigger and brighter shores. And a whole lot of real-life slaps in the face! Your contribution and shining happy faces will be missed. We wish you all the best with their plans and hope to see them cheering us on again in the future. Come back and visit us.”
With this farewell, the RCHK swimmers will hang their Black Kites swim caps for now. Our swimmers will be ready once again this Summer for another splashing season in 2026-27.