Cheung Ka-long’s Olympic gold will ‘boost’ fencing in city as teammate pays tribute to ‘amazing’ Hong Kong fans

Former men’s foilist Ron Lee Chung-man and 1994 Commonwealth champion Wong Tsan hope win will inspire new generation of youngsters

Ex-Hong Kong player Maria Chan sheds tears of joy after Cheung’s victory while his teammate Ryan Choi pays tribute to fans

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Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka-long embraces coach Greg Koenig after winning gold in the men’s foil in Tokyo. Photo: EPA

Published: 2:00pm, 27 Jul 2021Updated: 10:55pm, 27 Jul 2021

Hong Kong’s fencing community hailed a new hero on Monday, hoping Edgar Cheung Ka-long’s brilliant gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics would raise the status of their sport to new heights and encourage youngsters to pick up an épée, foil or sabre.

The 24-year-old Cheung stunned the fencing world when he defeated Italy’s defending Olympic champion Daniele Garozzo 15-11 in the final to become Hong Kong’s second gold medallist after windsurfer Lee Lai-shan in 1996.

His gold came two days after women’s épée favourite Vivian Kong Man-wai failed to gain a podium place after she lost in the quarter-finals.

Ron Lee Chung-man, who represented Hong Kong at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in the men’s individual and team foil, said Cheung’s golden glory would hopefully spark new life into fencing in the city.

“This gold medal will definitely give a lot of motivation to our youngsters and we may see many more Cheung Ka-longs and Vivian Kongs to come,” he said. “I am sure this will help boost the sport in Hong Kong.”