Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong golden boy Edgar Cheung’s fencing triumph triggers rush in shops offering discounts, while political divisions are put aside – even if briefly
- Hongkongers in raptures over city’s first gold medal in 25 years, paying homage in their droves to ‘Fencing God’ Cheung as he becomes an overnight sensation
- Free beer and MTR journeys among the promotions offered by businesses to mark the foil hero’s historic achievement in Tokyo
Retailers and restaurants on Tuesday slashed prices and staged special promotions to mark the historic victory, while fencing schools have reported a surge in demand for classes.
Social media was awash with congratulatory messages for the “193 Fencing God”, a reference to Cheung’s towering frame. His triumph even appeared to bridge – momentarily at least – Hong Kong’s deep political divide, with both sides sounding the same note of celebration.
Cheung’s father Allan, a former basketball player, told local media he had been too nervous to watch the live broadcast of the 17-minute final, but was taking Tuesday off work to celebrate.
“His achievements are beyond our imagination,” 59-year-old Cheung told local media. “It has been 25 years since Hong Kong’s last gold medal. I have been waiting for a long time.”
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The fencing champion said he would give his father the gold medal as a present for his birthday, which fell on Sunday. His former school, Lam Tai Fai College, donated HK$2.5 million (US$320,000) to Cheung as reward for his triumph.
Other alumni of the college competing at the Tokyo Games include karate athlete Grace Lau Mo-sheng, rower Winne Hung Wing-yan and table tennis player Wong Chun-ting.
02:18
Hong Kong celebrates Olympic win as Cheung Ka-long takes gold in fencing
Many supporters gathered at shopping centres across the city that were screening the final, with crowds at APM mall in Kwun Tong voicing their disapproval at the playing of the Chinese national anthem, shouting: “We are Hong Kong.”
Not long after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor sent her tribute to Cheung, the city’s biggest opposition group, the Democratic Party, posted its congratulations on Facebook.
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Hong Kong netizens heaped praise on Cheung, who they dubbed the city’s pride.
“Today can be said as the happiest day for Hong Kong in the past two years. A gold medal after waiting for 25 years – it has given some comfort to our broken hearts,” said one Instagram user.
Windsurfer Lee Lai-shan is the only other person to win Olympic gold for Hong Kong, doing so at the Atlanta Games in 1996.
Some of the city’s biggest music stars were similarly fulsome in their praise of Cheung.
Most members of the 12-strong Canto-pop boy band Mirror posted Instagram stories to congratulate and thank the fencer for winning Hong Kong’s second-ever gold medal.
Local-born singer Jackson Wang, also a member of popular K-pop band GTO7, wrote on social media: “Proud of you, my brother! It is a day worth remembering.” Before his musical career, Wang was a sabre fencer for Hong Kong and competed in the 2010 Youth Olympics.
05:59
Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka-long clinches Olympic gold in historic win at Tokyo Games
Cheung’s sporting achievement elevated him on Monday night to instant fame.
The day before the final he had 12,000 followers on Instagram; he now has more than 290,000 and rising. His most recent Instagram post, from last week, has ushered in more than 17,000 well-wishing comments.
One Hong Kong Fencing School branch told the Post it was dealing with a surge of inquiries for classes, exceeding 30 on Tuesday from an average of fewer than five. The inquiries were for children as young as three years old.
The Leon Paul Hong Kong Fencing Centre had observed that more of its former students were interested in getting back into the sport.
“Some of the students who dropped their fencing classes for academic and other reasons are coming back. I have 16 to 17 such messages from students, previously it was at four to five,” said centre manager Andrew Wong.
Brands in Hong Kong were also tripping over each other to try and cash in on Cheung mania.
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The rail operator also planned to give away 100,000 free single trips to registered users of the MTR mobile application.
Simon Wong Kit-lung, chairman of the LH Group of restaurants on Tuesday, offered free beer to adult customers of his various Japanese eateries.
Online travel booking site Klook offered for a limited time HK$193 off any minimum spend of $2,000, requesting customers to input the code “193 Fencing God Ka-long”.
01:53
The road to Olympic gold for Hong Kong’s unassuming fencing hero, Edgar Cheung Ka-long
Food delivery platforms Foodpanda and Deliveroo issued celebratory coupons of HK$20 (US$2.60) and HK$25 off for those spending at least HK$100.
Milk tea chain Aboutea offered a free drink to customers also named “Ka-lung”, while Nine Fresh Desserts Taiwan slashed 50 per cent off its entire menu for people sharing either Chinese character of Cheung’s name.
Online florist Rose of Sharon started selling a bouquet similar to the one handed to Cheung at his medal ceremony.
“We are so proud of Cheung,” said co-founder Tiffany Lau, 29.
“In Hong Kong, the atmosphere encourages people to make as much money as possible. Many give up their dreams to work in an industry they may not like. Cheung’s story can encourage more Hongkongers to pursue their dreams.”
Additional reporting by Kanis Leung
