Hong Kong was all abuzz yesterday as everyone was out and about, supporting Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung. As such, almost every shopping mall in Hong Kong was packed out. With so many Hong Kongers showing their support for him, not only did he not let Hong Kongers down, he also won the city's second gold medal at the Olympic Games, the first one since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule. Having won a gold medal in the men's epee fencing individual competition, he was literally overwhelmed by sentiments of support and love from Hong Kongers, including Chief Executive Carrie Lam, and other government officials.
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July 26, 2021 was a historic day in Hong Kong's history as the city was all abuzz, with Hong Kongers celebrating Edgar Cheung's victory in the Olympic Games' men's epee fencing individual competition.
The first competition was between Cheung and the Czech Republic's Alexander Choupenitch, 15-10.
Alexander Choupenitch later won bronze for the Czech Republic after defeating Takahiro Shikine of Japan, 15-8.
During the last competition, Italy's Daniele Garozzo needed medical treatment after straining a thigh muscle when Cheung was leading the competition, 6-5.
Cheung Ka-long clinched the city's second Olympic gold medal by defeating reigning Olympic fencing champion Daniele Garozzo, 15-11, in the men's foil fencing final. He also defeated Czech Republic's Alexander Choupenitch in the semi-finals.
Earlier, he produced an incredible fightback while in competition with Russian Olympic Committee's Kirill Borodachev. On the brink of defeat at 14-10 down, Cheung was so imperturbable he eventually won the competition, 15-14.
Cheung was seen embracing his coach, Greg Koenig, after the referee declared him the winner of that competition.
Standing on the highest platform on the stage and wearing his gold medal, he, in that moment, became Hong Kongers' idol and the epitome of perseverance.
Winning that gold medal was a shot in the arm for Cheung, as well as Hong Kongers, said his coach Greg. He said Cheung's performance last night was unequalled.
His incredible, superb and wondrous performance had Chief Executive Carrie Lam lauding him and expressing her heartfelt congratulations to Cheung Ka-long and his coach.
Also following closely with the matches of Cheung via live TV broadcast and among the first to congratulate Cheung on his success were other government officials, including Financial Secretary Paul Chan, who praised him for his composure.
Windsurfing queen Lee Lai-shan, who won the city's first-ever gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games, expressed her appreciation for Cheung's stunning performance either. In 1996, she said "Hong Kong athletes are not rubbish," and Edgar has literally proven that.
Cheung himself said before the Olympic Games started that he used to be very emotional and couldn't control his emotions well. But this time, able to control his emotions, he produced a superb fightback when he was on the brink of defeat and elimination during the competition with Russia's Kirill Borodachev. His fightback rendered many Hong Kongers, as well as supporters there thunderstruck.
Many believe this time, he wouldn't have avoided elimination had he lost his composure.
Everyone was enthralled by that sparkling competition and his enraptured performance.
In addition to reaping HKD$5,000,000 as he became an individual gold medal winner in the Games, he will also have a superstar status in Hong Kong. Asked if he's prepared to receive a rapturous welcome from Hong Kongers, he answered, "Luckily I'm going straight to China (to compete at the National Games), so I can avoid it all. I'm a very shy person."
Having strained every nerve to make Hong Kongers proud, he is now considered a sports star from whom everyone should learn.
With his performance considered second to none in history, he has shown that perseverance is a nexus between sports and character.
All is well that ends well. He's even blazed a trail in fencing.
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