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Hong Kong hero savors historic gold
2021-07-29 
Cheung Ka-long of China's Hong Kong reacts during the ceremony for the men's foil individual gold medal bout at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, on July 26, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fencer hopes shock victory inspires more of the region's young athletes to chase their dreams

Hong Kong's new Olympic champion, Cheung Ka-long, says his shock gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics is proof one should never be afraid of dreaming big.

The 24-year-old fencer defied expectations and the odds to beat Italy's defending champion Daniele Garozzo 15-11 in Monday's men's individual foil final.

Cheung said after his triumph that, in the eyes of many, being an athlete is a naive profession in which you have to invest a lot but are not guaranteed a return.

"But I want people to know, even though Hong Kong is a small city, you can (achieve your goals) when you believe," he added.

Cheung's gold was the Chinese territory's first Olympic gold since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1997, and the city's second after Lee Lai-shan's windsurfing gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

"I want people to know that the Olympics is really not beyond their reach, so you can aim bigger and higher."

Roller-coaster career

Cheung has dealt with his fair share of ups and downs in his career, dropping out of the world's top 16 and admitting that he sometimes considered hanging up his sword.

His perseverance on Monday yielded the sport's ultimate prize, and afterward he thanked his family and coaches for sticking with him through good times and bad.

Away from the piste, the low-key Cheung enjoys K-pop and is something of a sneaker head, according to teammate Chan Cheuk-him.

Monday night's final between Cheung and Garozzo gripped Hong Kong, with several of the city's shopping malls packed with fans watching the live broadcast on giant screens, chanting and waving red banners in support of their new-found hero.

Many hugged and burst into tears as Cheung stood on the top podium and the SAR's regional flag was raised as the national anthem played. Cheung said that learning of the support back home gave him goosebumps.

"I didn't expect that a match could bring Hong Kong together," he said.

His historic win also proved a huge hit on Chinese social media, with the hashtag "First gold for Hong Kong China" racking up 400 million views on Weibo.

"For the first time in the history of the Olympics, the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is raised highest with the national anthem of the People's Republic of China playing," read a message accompanying a video of Cheung's medal ceremony, which was viewed at least 2 million times.

High praise

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor watched Cheung's victory live on television in her office, and afterward heaped praise on the fencer.

Lam said he "made history for Hong Kong with his outstanding skills and calmness as well as his perseverance in adversity".

"His excellent result is testimony to the capability of Hong Kong athletes and makes all Hong Kong people proud," she added.

The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the SAR issued a statement saying Cheung and the Hong Kong, China delegation have "demonstrated the enterprising initiative of the athletes and the determined spirit of young people in Hong Kong, China".

President of the Legislative Council Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen on Tuesday expressed his admiration for the perseverance of Hong Kong athletes. Leung pledged the city's legislature will continue to support funding related to sports and athletes' development, and will work with other sectors to advance sports development.

The SAR government's latest budget substantially increases the total subvention for the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and 60 sports associations from about $300 million to more than $500 million annually over the next four years.

Windsurfer Lee, Hong Kong's first Olympic champion, told Cheung by video link that she was happy to see another gold medalist 25 years after her triumph, and hoped there will be more to come.

Cheung told the audience and young athletes not to let the notion that "Hong Kong is too small" deter them from their dreams. Anything can be achieved if you put your best foot forward, he added.

The streets of Hong Kong were deserted on Monday as people were glued to TV screens to watch Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long chasing the team's first Olympic fencing medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The 24-year-old became the first Hong Kong fencer in history to take an Olympic medal. [Photo by Calvin Ng/ China Daily]

Never-say-die spirit

That was a mantra that Cheung never abandoned throughout his thrilling Olympic campaign.

In a dramatic quarterfinal against Russian Kirill Borodachev, Cheung snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by scoring six points in a row to win 15-14.

He then fought off Alexander Choupenitch of the Czech Republic, who eventually claimed the bronze medal.

Cheung revealed after the final that he had struggled with cramp since the round of 16 and had to recover his fitness while competing.

Cheung and his teammates will feature in the men's foil team competition on Sunday.

Born in 1997, Cheung developed a passion for sports in elementary school, influenced by his parents, who were both basketball players in the 1980s.

Cheung's mother, Chan Suet-ling, recalled her initial hesitation when Cheung proposed dropping out of school to become a professional fencer when he was about 16.

The youngster eventually won the family's full support through unrelenting hard practice, outstanding performances, and the recognition of world-class coaches.

After four years in the pro ranks, Cheung made a major breakthrough by winning the individual foil title at the 2016 Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi, Jiangsu province. He was dubbed "Young Sword God" by Hong Kong media.

Cheung finished 14th in the men's foil at the 2016 Rio Olympics, afterward telling media that he was targeting a medal at the Tokyo Games.

The 1.93-meter-tall athlete was the flag-bearer of the 46-member Hong Kong, China delegation in Friday's opening ceremony, before showing that his podium target was not merely idle talk.

Cheung and his teammates will be back in competition at the 14th National Games of China in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, from Sept 15-27.

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