Wheelchair fencer Cheung Wai-leung collected his third Nike/Hong Kong Sports Institute Athlete of the Month Award following his success at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games in August.
The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) scholarship athlete pulled off a major surprise by winning four gold medals in men's individual foil and epee and team foil and epee in Atlanta.
Cheung also became the first Hong Kong disabled athlete to win four gold medals in a single major game.
A presentation was held at the HKSI recently with Martin Lam of the institute and Adam Koo, managing director of Nike Hong Kong, presenting the winning trophy to Cheung.
The winner also received a cash award of $5,000 and Nike products worth $3,000.
Nominated by the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, 36-year-old Cheung said athletes needed tangible rewards as well as public recognition for their hard work, and both were important to push an athlete to his best. 'It is a great honour for me to win this prestigious title for the third time,' he said.
