Star fencer and gold medallist Cheung Ka-long returned home from his Paris Olympics triumph to a rousing reception, saying his approach was to just “keep going, keep fighting” when he was asked to define the much-touted “Hong Kong spirit” fans said he embodied.
Cheung, who made history this week by becoming the first man in 68 years to defend his Olympic foil title, was welcomed by about 100 people at Hong Kong International Airport’s arrival hall while dozens more watched on from the departure area.
Dressed in the Hong Kong team’s jacket from the Games, cream Bermuda shorts and a Christian Dior backpack, Cheung received cheers from the crowd with some snapping photos of him and fellow fencer Cedric Ho Wai-hang.
Cheung responded to praise from residents over athletes displaying the “Hong Kong spirit” throughout the Games and offered his interpretation of such characteristics, which he said had been instilled in him throughout his preparation.
“I think our spirit is [to] never give up, to try our best to get everything [and] to give everything on the piste,” he said.
“I don’t want to have any excuses and waste my efforts from training.
“I just keep going, keep fighting. This is how it is,” he said, appearing fresh after the 13-hour flight.
The 27-year-old, who won Hong Kong’s sole gold at 2020 Tokyo, is the city’s only athlete to win two Olympic gold medals and back-to-back in two Games.
He defeated Italian Filippo Macchi 15-14 in a controversial match in Paris, with Italy’s National Olympic Committee lodging a formal complaint afterwards.
Cheung described winning the two medals as “one of the best moments in [his] life” and the “reward for generations of fencers”, while also defending referees.
“Referees have their interpretation of the basic rules. Some look at the feet first and some look at the hand. We modify our strategy based on the referees’ habits. I do not think there is any ‘black whistle’ or favouritism,” he said, referring to a Cantonese idiom for bending the rules.
The medallist celebrated his victory by having lunch with his parents in Paris and said he would take a holiday before the next fencing season began.
But first on his to-do list is to pick up some good local food.
“I went to Paris some time ago, so I miss Hong Kong food, and any Asian food I can have is great,” he said.
Cheung offered a shy smile when asked about his love life, amid rumours he is dating French fencer Solene Butruille, following a social media post made during the Paris Olympics.
“As you have seen in the public domain, I have nothing more to tell you,” he said.
He did not deny the relationship.
Cheung added he did not have any plans for how to spend his HK$9 million (US$1.2 million) award, comprising HK$6 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and HK$3 million from Lam Tai Fai College as part of a scheme for alumni.
The star athlete also gave an explanation for why his tongue was blue in his final match, as observed by some sharp-eyed viewers, saying it was because of gels and energy beverages he was consuming.
He said he was yet to set any goals for the next Olympic Games but hoped the Hong Kong men’s foil team would secure a spot after it failed to make the grade for Paris.
The men’s fencing team earlier clinched a historic title in May, winning the home FIE Foil World Cup leg.
Among the fans at the airport was Darren Lo, a 16-year-old student, who said he had the best luck of all as he was able to chat to Cheung while they were waiting to collect their luggage.
“I cheered him on, wished him good luck and told him that I’m proud of him for winning the gold medal in the last point,” said Lo, who was returning from Manchester.
Lo said he had been a fan of Cheung since the Tokyo Olympics and had watched his fencing matches during that edition of the Games at APM mall in Kwun Tong.
Traveller Francis Lau, 23, a language student in Japan who has followed the fencer since his Tokyo Olympics gold medal win, chose a flight that would arrive at around the same time as Cheung’s in a bid to secure an autograph.
“The reason why he’s inspiring is because he got two gold medals and he overcame the stress of Hong Kong supporters and constant news coverage,” he said.
“I play basketball and practise taekwondo, and though it maybe not be the same experience as him, it’s really stressful when it comes down to that final moment”
He said he had learned a lot by watching the gold medallist, especially the role of good technique versus pure physical prowess, lessons he hoped to put into practice himself.
“I will win by using my skills. That’s what Cheung Ka-long does.”
Additional reporting by Alice Kong and James Modesto
