Heroes of Hong Kong: Medal haulers of Tokyo Olympics 2020

Hong Kong made history at the Tokyo Olympics. A year delayed, over US$20 billion spent — nearly triple the original budget, taking place under the constant threat of cancellations in the midst of a fourth COVID-19 emergency in Tokyo, hot and muggy weather, eerily quiet stadiums – it’s an Olympic like none other in modern history. Yet, Hong Kong’s ‘insane’ run at the Games (as described by gold medalist Edgar Cheung Ka-long), has been nothing short of spectacular.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Hong Kong medalists who made us proud at the 2020 Olympic Games:

1. Edgar Cheung Ka-long: The world #19 who went for gold!

*Hong Kong’s Edgar Cheung celebrates his gold in the men’s individual foil during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Photo courtesy: Fabrice Coffrine/ AFP)*

26 July 2021.

The city’s first Olympic gold in 25 years obviously sent the home crowds into rapture. Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long, the world No 19, accomplished the unbelievable feat. He beat the reigning gold medalist of the 2016 Rio Olympics — 28-year-old Daniele Garozzo from Italy by 15–11. And before this historic golden moment, he shook the world by defeating current World No 1 foil fencer – Alessio Foconi from Italy – in the table of 16 match.

“The reaction in Hong Kong has been insane” – Cheung, in a post-match interview to the local press.

No better way to describe the frenzy which enveloped the city after Cheung’s historic breakthrough and strong attack against the Italian gold medalist. The match did get close in the final rounds but not even for a moment did Cheung allow the title to slip away. His victory not only marks the first gold for the HKSAR in 25 years, after windsurfer Lee Lai-shan’s 1996 success, but also the fourth medal for the city in the history of Olympics.

The HK government is rewarding Cheung with five million Hong Kong dollars for the sporting glory.

Like with any sports megastar, the journey to the top was a result of years of dedication, focus and hard work. His awe-inspiring journey started in fencing schools and trainings at the age of 10 – he showed incredible promise right from the beginning accumulating sporting accolades instead of Marvel collectibles like the other children his age. He was named the “Most Promising Young Athlete” for Hong Kong at the Samsung Hong Kong Sports Star Awards Ceremony in 2013, “Outstanding Junior Athlete” by the Hong Kong Sports Institute in 2014 and ultimately exploded on the fencing scene with the Asian champion crown in 2016 at the Wuxi Asian Fencing Championships at just 18-years-old – the first Hong Konger to earn that coveted spot.

2. Siobhan Haughey: 23-year-old swim sensation who refused to play for Ireland

*Hong Kong’s very own mermaid in action in the 200m freestyle event. Photo courtesy: AFP*

28 July 2021/30 July 2021.

Born to an Irish father and local mum, Hong Kong’s 23-year-old swim hero, Siobhan Haughey did the unthinkable. She secured a double medal for Hong Kong, in 100m and 200m categories, a feat which no local athlete has ever achieved before.

“I hope Cheung Ka-long’s and my performances this Olympics can push fellow Hong Kong athletes competing… And also the athletes watching at home in Hong Kong – keep training, because it will be your turn soon” – Haughey in a post-match interview to the local press.

A mermaid of sorts, Siobhan began her swim training at the age of 4 at the South China Athletic Association. Early on, her coaches recognized her natural talent and that she was “gifted in swimming” and convinced her to keep up with the training. After making waves at the local and international swimming events, Haughey fell passionately in love with the sport.

*Siobhan Haughey making history at the Games. Photo courtesy: Reuters*

A regular day for the Olympic sensation would start with waking up at 3am for studies, 5am for swim practice, followed by a full day at school and then piano practice after – repeat that for six days a week. The grind ensured she achieved the highest level in piano, got excellent grades in school, cruised through a University of Michigan Psychology under-grad and smashed through several swimming accolades – 63 local and 13 Asian records, to be precise.

Haughey’s coach has complete faith that the “little fish” (lovingly called by teammates), can go faster and faster. The best is yet to come, perhaps a gold in the future?

3. Minnie Soo Wai-yam: World #30 single’s player, school dropout, Olympic medalist

5 August 2021

Minnie Soo crushed Germany 3-1 in the women’s team table tennis to get a bronze for Hong Kong – it was the game of her life! Not only was this her first shot at an Olympic medal, it was the second time the city got a spot at the podium in the table tennis category. Prior to this, we won a silver in the men’s table tennis at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

“The last moment, I could not figure out what had happened. I never thought I could win and beat the two Germans. I lost to them by big margins before and never won. I just wanted to play point by point, and be very committed in the matches and enjoy it. Unbelievable!” – Soo in a post-match interview to the local press.

Daughter of Soo Chun-wah, a former player for the Hong Kong table tennis team, Soo fell in love with the sport at the little age of two! She was obsessed with the sound of ping-pong and started playing at the age of four when her height finally reached the table. Formal training began at five when coaches realised her extraordinary potential. At 10, the rising star joined the Hong Kong youth team, accolades have been pouring since then.

2014 was a highlight year as the current sensation was ranked number one player in the world in the under-18 category for almost nine months by the International Table Tennis Federation. A bronze in the 2015 Asian Championships announced her arrival on the sporting map. Beating China’s star player, Ding Ning 3-0 at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in 2018 was the highlight of her career.

Part of Hong Kong’s greatest ever Olympics, Soo has not only secured a medal for Hong Kong, she has shown tremendous mental maturity whilst doing so.

4. Grace Lau Mo-sheung: Former world #4 trailblazing karateka who went for bronze

5 August 2021

This is the first and the last time karate was added as a sports category in the Olympics – the fact that Grace Lau made the most of it in her peak years makes it especially endearing. The Paris Games 2024 has already confirmed karate will not feature as an event.

The last two years have been especially rough for this Hong Kong Sports Institute athlete. Rigorous training sessions, stranded in the US during the Covid phase, being away from family and friends whilst mentally staying strong to focus on the Games – anyone could’ve been crushed under the pressure. But podium winners are wired differently – the road to the medals is often uncertain and arduous.

Lau defeated Turkey’s Dilara Bozan 18.90 in technical performance, 8.04 in athletic performance to finish 0.42 points ahead of her Turkish opponent in women’s solo kata competition at the Tokyo Olympics. The trailblazer has over a dozen Premier League medals to her credit, the latest being a silver in Portugal in April – hopefully, she will continue to inspire little girls to follow in her footsteps and get glory for Hong Kong in sporting events around the world.

5. Sarah Lee: Cyclist, bronze medal

8 August 2021

Beating Germany’s Emma Hinze, 34-year-old cyclist Sarah Lee won a bronze in women’s sprint at the Tokyo Olympics. Chief Executive Carrie Lam called her a local “legend” – this is the second-ever Olympic medal for the athlete, prior to this she won a bronze in the women’s keirin at the 2012 London Olympics.