The SUN HK : Only Pinoy athlete in Gay Games wins bronze in table tennis

06 November 2023

Benj Torres and tennis partner Kelvin Lo display their bronze medals

The only Filipino to take part in Asia’s first Gay Games has won a bronze medal in the table tennis doubles match held at the Kowloon Junior School yesterday, Nov. 5.

Melvin “Benj” Torres, 38, a former member of the Philippine national team in the sport, and Hong Kong player Kelvin Lo, 34, teamed up to take the third top slot in the game.

Benj said he met two Filipino representatives from Los Angeles and Hong Kong at the opening ceremony for the Gay Games held Saturday at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wanchai, but they did not take part in the competition.

PINDUTIN DITO!

He said he intends to be involved again in the next Gay Games, slated to be held in Valencia, Spain, in 2026, either as an athlete again or as a mentor to those who are interested to join.

Benj proudly marched for the Philippines at the opening ceremony

The Gay Games was first established in 1982, and was supposed to have its Asian debut in Hong Kong last year but pandemic-related restrictions caused it to be moved to this year.

Despite the long preparation, the road to the Games that Hong Kong is co-hosting with Mexico has not been smooth, with only about 2,400 athletes taking part, instead of the roughly 15,000 that was expected.

Only 45 countries and territories are represented instead of the 100 that originally expressed interest, and only 18 events instead of the 36 first envisioned are being held.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

There were also calls from critics for the competitions to be cancelled for reasons of national security, but these were mercifully disregarded.

Local athletes are particularly happy because the Games meant another big step in their fight for recognition in traditionally conservative Hong Kong, where homosexuality was decriminalized only in 1991. Same-sex marriage is still not allowed in the city.

BASAHIN ANG DETALYE

Another big event being anticipated is the annual Pride Parade which returns to Hong Kong later this month. The event drew 12,000 people onto the streets in 2018 but the pandemic forced organizers to move the celebration indoors, or in parks.

The Gay Games will last until Saturday, Nov. 11.