Gold medallist Hong Kong's Cheung Ka-Long celebrates on podium during the medal ceremony for the men’s individual foil during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe Hall in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on July 26, 2021. (PHOTO / AFP)
TOKYO – Cheung Ka-long from China's Hong Kong made history when he defeated Italy's Daniele Garozzo 15-11 to win the men's foil individual gold at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday.
The 24-year-old Cheung is Hong Kong's first ever Olympic fencing medallist.
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Alexander Choupenitch of the Czech Republic took bronze.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor congratulated Cheung for winning the first medal for Hong Kong athletes at the Tokyo Games.
It is also the first fencing medal in the Olympic Games in Hong Kong's history, the first Olympic gold medal after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the city's second gold medal after the one at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
"As with many members of the public, I followed closely with the matches of Ka-long through live TV broadcast today to cheer for him,” Lam said in a statement.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, 2nd right, front row, watches the Men's Foil Individual competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 26, 2021.(PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR GOVT)
“We are thrilled that with his outstanding skills and calmness as well as perseverance in adversity during the competition, he has succeeded in making history for Hong Kong. His excellent result is testimony to the capability of Hong Kong athletes and makes all Hong Kong people proud,” she said.
"I wish the Hong Kong, China Delegation will continue to unleash their potential in the other events and achieve outstanding results," she added.
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Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai also congratulated Cheung on winning the historic gold medal.
"Cheung Ka-long has fully met the challenges to display his skills and maintained a high level of concentration during the competition. It is a great honor to win the medal. I hope he will reach new heights in future,” Tsui said.
Hong Kong residents celebrate in a shopping mall in Kwun Tong as Cheung Ka-long wins the gold medal at the Men's Foil Individual Gold Medal Bout in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 26, 2021. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)