Benny Cheung Wai-leung joined the illustrious company of Olympic chief Juan Antonio Samaranch and former American president Ronald Reagan yesterday.
Cheung, Hong Kong's well-known and well-respected wheelchair fencer, was awarded the United States Sports Academy's Distinguished Service Award at a simple ceremony last evening.
The 39-year-old fencer, who lost a leg in 1983 while carrying out a rescue operation as a fireman, was surprised to hear afterwards that he had joined the company of notables like Samaranch and Reagan.
'They were both previous winners of this medal, which is primarily given for sports and humanitarian achievements. In Benny's case, it was also given for the inspiration he has given to both able and disabled athletes,' said Dr Dick Carrow, US Sports Academy representative.
Carrow added: 'To my knowledge I believe he is the first Chinese athlete to be honoured with this medal.' Cheung, who has won a cupboard full of medals for Hong Kong, including four gold medals at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, retired from international competition last December.
'I don't have the time to devote full-time to fencing now. This year has been pretty demanding. Maybe I will be back to take part in local competitions next year,' said Cheung.