Tokyo Olympics: ‘tired’ Grace Lau brings bronze medal home to Hong Kong after two-year journey
- ‘Before getting on stage, I was too tired to think of anything. I just delivered,’ says Hong Kong kareteka after win over Turkey’s Dilara Bozan
- The 29-year-old is ‘proud’ of making history, counting herself lucky as karate makes first and possibly only Games appearance
Hong Kong kareteka Grace Lau Mo-sheung made history by winning one of the first medals on offer in her sport’s first and perhaps last appearance at the Olympics – and she cannot wait to bring the bronze back to the city.
“Over the last two years, I gave my best to pursue my dream. I have seldom seen my family and spent most of my time overseas,” she said after beating Turkey’s Dilara Bozan.
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“I think of Hong Kong and my family very often. Now I’ve got a medal and want to celebrate with them as soon as possible.”
Lau took bronze at what she had described as “her only Olympics” – the sport will not reappear at Paris in three years’ time.
“It’s very special. The first and last time for karate,” she added. “That karate was in the Olympics when I am in my peak years, I would say I am very lucky.”
At the Nippon Budokan, the home of the karate world championships, Lau added more history to the storied venue.
“It was my second time here and the last time I did not even reach the medal match,” she said.
“Now to compete here again in such a big event and secure a medal feels so important. It’s like creating history. First to have qualified and now a medal, I’m very proud of my performance.”
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Lau was second in her qualifier behind Spain’s Sandra Sanchez and ahead of Sakura Kokumai of the USA.
That trio moved on to the rankings round in the same order, meaning 2018 world champion Sanchez progressed to the gold round against Japan’s double world champion Kiyou Shimizu.
Hongkonger Lau joined the US kareteka in the bronze medal round where she was drawn with Turkey’s Bozan.
Lau adds her Olympic bronze to the Asian Games and World Championships bronzes already in her trophy cabinet.
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“Looking back in the training camp in Florida, me and my training partner worked hard for each other,” she said.
Lau said that she was just happy to show her best despite feeling fatigued.
“I’m very excited that I could perform well under tired conditions. After the morning session I returned to the Athletes’ Village and my legs felt very tired. That’s why I was not doing too much of a warm up for the medal match.
“Before getting on the stage, I was too tired to think of anything. I just delivered to my standard.”
Kokumai and Viviana Bottaro of Italy faced off for the other bronze final, with the latter winning. Sanchez won gold.
