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Paul McNamara

He has been involved in designing the USA’s space policy, and graduated from Harvard and Cambridge Universities, but it was only when he played in this week’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens that Ryan Santos achieved his “lifelong goal”.
A back for the USA, Santos, 26, played mini-rugby in the tournament for Valley Fort during nearly four years living in Hong Kong from 2006.
“We were in it about four times and, as long as I can remember, playing in Hong Kong was my dream, it’s motivated me throughout my career,” said Santos, whose uncle, Rob Santos, played for the city team in the 1996 edition.
“The opportunity to come and have this experience has been surreal,” Santos said.
“With my uncle playing here 30 years ago, it feels we’ve come full circle.”
Santos’ younger brothers, Rand and Reed, play for the America 15s and Philippines sevens sides, respectively, while dad Rick played for Football Club and has featured in the Tradition HKFC 10s.

“Hong Kong gave us our first taste of organised rugby,” said Santos, who, during the first six years of his life in the Philippines, played touch rugby alongside Manila-born England international Marcus Smith.
“Hong Kong has an unprecedented youth rugby system and playing for Valley was a vital experience,” he said.
After returning to the Philippines in December 2009, Santos was not allowed to play for British School because of his tender years. “The only team that would have me was Bahay Bata Orphanage, which was pretty ironic, given I was a rugby orphan,” he said.
“I was playing four years beneath myself and we beat the British School, which was a really cool moment. My family and a few others began Makati Mavericks Sports Foundation to provide structured rugby and it has blossomed into the largest club in the country.”
Spreading the rugby gospel in the Philippines was complicated by the fact the sport’s name is shared with a glue brand. “Street children who use it are known as Rugby Boys, so when I first mentioned rugby to people, and was trying to grow the game, they would just laugh,” Santos said.
Also gifted in soccer, baseball, basketball and American football, Santos was the Southeast Asia Schools champion in javelin.
“I had offers to throw the javelin and play [American] football in college,” said Santos, who instead chose to study history and economics at Harvard, which boasts the oldest rugby club in North America.
“I was captain of that programme, which was really special,” Santos said. “The beauty of rugby is the opportunities it allows you to pursue, along with the values and lessons you learn.”
Currently juggling rugby with a job as a business operations analyst for Skydweller Aero, a company that is “pioneering uncrewed solar-powered aircraft solutions capable of achieving perpetual flight”, Santos spent four months as a space policy analyst at The White House during his studies.
“I was paired with the National Security Council, which was a cool experience,” he said. “You have to look towards serious post-rugby career opportunities, and it’s nice to know that in the future I could maybe represent my country in a different capacity.”
Towards the end of his one-year master’s in management from Cambridge last year, Santos played a key role in his university’s record comeback win over Oxford in the annual Varsity Match.
“Although at first I wanted to play for Hong Kong, growing up I had two major goals; to play for the Philippines and to play for Oxford against Cambridge, so I always joke that I set my ambitions too low,” he said. “My dad was on the bench in a Varsity Match for Oxford, so it was cool to get on and be part of history.”
Santos’ parents, one brother and hordes of friends watched him in Hong Kong, while he unexpectedly bumped into his closest friend from Hong Kong International School when going to the bathroom on Friday.

“We’ve had the unconditional support of our parents, pushing us to dream big and giving us opportunities all over the world,” Santos said.
“My brothers were my greatest competitors and they’re probably my two best friends.”
Santos acknowledged he was “shaking” before his Hong Kong debut against New Zealand. “It gives me goosebumps thinking about it; I looked around and took it all in,” he said.
The US lost all five matches at Kai Tak Stadium, four of them by narrow margins, following promotion from the second tier. “It’s tough making the jump but we showed we can compete,” said Santos, who is targeting the podium in the US’ home 2028 Olympics.
“I achieved my dream; now it’s time to reset and reload.
“Hopefully, we’ll be in LA in two years with medals around our necks thinking, ‘We finished dead last in Hong Kong, but that was a real turning point for us’.”


Philippines-born, Hong Kong-trained, Santos achieves ‘lifelong Sevens dream’ with US

South Africa end nearly 30 years of hurt to finally grab Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens crown

Hong Kong recognised as ‘global player’ in world rugby after record-breaking Sevens party

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: Jorja Miller to the four as New Zealand keep record intact

Hong Kong Sevens

Ryan Santos achieving his dream of playing at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens for USA. Photo: Elson Li

Jack Wendling tries to make progress during USA’s 19-15 loss to Germany on Sunday. Photo: Elson Li

Newly promoted USA lost all five matches at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: Elson Li

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: record single-day crowd party to gripping men’s quarter-finals

Rugby fans in the south stand on Day 2 of the Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2026 at Kai Tak Stadium. 18APR26  SCMP / Sam Tsang

Jayden Nell grabs possession during South Africa’s victory over Kenya. Photo: Sam Tsang

Australia’s Aden Ekanayake (left) is stopped by Manu Moreno and Francisco Cosculluela in Spain’s upset win. Photo: Karma Lo

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: dreamlike debut for Haruka Uematsu despite Thailand loss

Haruka Uematsu scores Hong Kong’s consolation try against Thailand on day two of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Elson Li

Haruka Uematsu is hugged by Au King-to (right) after scoring on her Sevens debut. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong’s Chong Ka-yan (left) is brought down by Thailand’s Pornnapha Nartsopha. Photo: Sam Tsang

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens

Ryan Santos, who is juggling rugby with a job as a business operations analyst, is targeting the podium at the LA 2028 Olympics


Ryan Santos, who is juggling rugby with a job as a business operations analyst, is targeting the podium at the LA 2028 Olympics.


Harvard Medical School

Hong Kong Sevens: Features

Philippines-born, Hong Kong-trained, Santos achieves ‘lifelong Sevens dream’ with US

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Ryan Santos, who is juggling rugby with a job as a business operations analyst, is targeting the podium at the LA 2028 Olympics

Ryan Santos, who is juggling rugby with a job as a business operations analyst, is targeting the podium at the LA 2028 Olympics