“Please help us Asians, the dream is expensive” - Hong Kong into World Cup of Darts quarter-finals

The sensation is alive in Frankfurt: Hong Kong has reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 World Cup of Darts, marking a historic result for the nation. Man Lok Leung and Lok Yin Lee defeated Sweden 8–4 in a composed and confident performance inside the Eissporthalle, sparking emotional scenes both on stage and in the press room with dartsnews.com.

After the win, Leung was visibly relieved and grateful. “When I went to bed yesterday, I thought to myself: I have to play better tomorrow,” he said. “I promised him [Lok Yin] that I would. So I’m very happy that he kept believing in me and giving me so much support. Thank you to Hong Kong and all the Asians who are watching live to support us. Thank you very, very much!”  

Lok Yin Lee was equally overjoyed and praised the unique strength of the doubles format. “I think that was the best day of my career so far,” he said. “I love playing doubles. This team spirit is very good for us. As soon as I play doubles, I’m totally focused because I don’t want my teammate to be ashamed of me or disappointed in me. Now I’m just totally happy that we beat Sweden – and now we have to concentrate fully on tomorrow.”

When asked who they might face in the quarter-finals—Wales or the Philippines—Leung smiled and joked, “Maybe it will be the Philippines!” Lee followed up, “We support the Asians. No matter who it is, we’ll go into the game and be ready.”

Both players have competed individually at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in recent years, but they say the experience here is very different, and stronger. “Back then we were fighting for ourselves,” Lee explained. “Here we’re fighting for each other as a team, not just for ourselves. We fight for each other. I love playing like this.”

Leung agreed, adding, “When I play a single and miss a pitch, I get nervous. But now, when I’m passing the throw, I have total faith in my teammate. He totally supports me. There’s a big difference between this tournament and Ally Pally.”

Despite their breakthrough performance, both players admitted that the road to a professional darts career is still a long one, especially for players from Asia. Leung was honest: “I’m not ready to play Q-School or win a Tour Card. I have a normal job back home in Hong Kong. It’s difficult for us Asians because the travel costs are so expensive. Please help us, support us!”

Lee echoed the sentiment: “Last time at Ally Pally, I realized how difficult it is for Asians to play Q-School. You have to have the money, that’s important. The money helps us to realize our dream. If you have the money, you’re very lucky.”

Despite the high stakes, the Hong Kong duo showed their usual relaxed charm. When asked about Lee’s signature towel around his neck, he laughed, “Because I’m very, very hot.” Leung replied with a grin, “In the hotel, the air conditioning... it’s set so, so cold, terrible!”

With their quarter-final appearance, the pair have matched Hong Kong’s best-ever result at the World Cup, set by Royden Lam and Scott McKenzie. But they’re aiming higher.

“I want to set a new record for Hong Kong,” said Leung. “Royden Lam and Scott McKenzie also reached the quarter-finals, so we have to set a new record and surpass them... the new generation!”

Lee, who views Lam as a mentor, is also motivated to go one step further. “Royden is my teacher,” he said. “I’m following in his footsteps, but now I’m trying to overtake him.”