Edgar Cheung Ka-long does it again. Hong Kong’s fencing golden boy defended his men’s foil fencing title at the Paris Olympics 2024. In a nail-biting competition, Hong Kong’s top fencer beat Italy’s Filippo Macchi 15-14.
Cheung’s win is Hong Kong’s second gold medal at the Olympics following fellow fencer, Vivian Kong’s in women’s epee. He also etched his way into history books as the first Hong Kong athlete to win two Olympic gold medals.
Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka-long wins gold medal in fencing at the Paris Olympics 2024
In the early hours of July 30, Hongkongers sat in anticipation as Hong Kong’s reigning fencing gold medalist regained his title. Cheung was on the offence, making a 9-6 advantage against Italy’s Filippo Macchi. Tables turned when Macchi caught up at 10-10 before taking a three-point lead.
But Cheung powered through to win 15-14. It’s quite a long journey for the fencer after facing mainland China’s Mo Ziwei, Canada’s Daniel Gu, France’s Enzo Lefort, and Japan’s Kazuki Limura throughout. In a post-win interview with local media, Cheung expressed his happiness. “It’s the best moment of my life. To win the match [here] with a French coach, I’m happy, no regrets,” he said.
Claiming his second gold medal, Cheung also becomes the third fencer to win consecutive gold medals in foil since 1956.
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More about Hong Kong’s fencing champion
Edgar Cheung Ka-long is a two-time individual Asian champion. With his recent win, he’s now a two-time Olympic champion. Sports seems to run in his blood, having parents who both played basketball in the Hong Kong national league.
Cheung first took up fencing in fourth grade and showed great potential. In 2013, he was named Hong Kong’s Most Promising Young Athlete at the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards. And the rest, as they say, is history. From then on, he continuously bagged medals at the Asian Fencing Championships and Asian Games until his grand entrance at the Tokyo Olympics.
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All image credit: FIE 2024/Augusto Bizzi & Eva Pavia via Instagram
This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong
