PARIS — In a breathtaking finale on Monday night, Cheung Ka-long etched his name into Olympic history by winning gold in men’s foil for the second consecutive time, further solidifying Hong Kong’s growing legacy in the world of sports.
Facing Italian rival Filipo Macchi, Cheung’s journey to victory was anything but straightforward. Trailing 14-12, the defending champion seemed poised to settle for silver. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Cheung landed the decisive touch, clinching a 15-14 victory that left both competitors and onlookers on the edge of their seats.
“Winning is a very great thing, but losing is also a good experience for us,” Cheung reflected after his thrilling match. “This is the best moment of my life. I have no regrets.”
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, praised Cheung’s remarkable achievement, declaring him a “source of great pride” for the city. Cheung’s victory adds to his gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, placing him among an elite group of fencers who have successfully defended their Olympic titles.
Before this achievement, only two men—Italy’s Nedo Nadi and France’s Christian d’Oriola—had accomplished this feat. Cheung’s performance, however, was uniquely electrifying, marked by moments of sheer tension as both fencers believed they had won at various points in the match.

The atmosphere in the Grand Palais was charged as Cheung’s supporters experienced the emotional rollercoaster of the bout. His triumphant roar contrasted sharply with Macchi, who lay on the piste, visibly distraught as he contested the judges’ decision.
On another high note for Hong Kong, swimmer Siobhan Haughey captured bronze in the women’s 200m freestyle, becoming the first athlete from the city to earn three Olympic medals. Although her time of 1:54.55 was slower than her silver medal performance in Tokyo, Haughey displayed resilience against fierce competition. Australian Mollie O’Callaghan set a new Olympic record with a time of 1:53.27, while compatriot Ariarne Titmus secured silver.
“I know that my competitors are much stronger this year, so I understand that it’s not easy to reach the podium,” Haughey said. “But this is just the beginning. We have a long Olympics journey ahead, and I’m sure other Hong Kong athletes will do well.”
As Chief Executive Lee continues his six-day business trip across Southeast Asia, he remains attentive to the Olympic events. After Cheung’s golden moment, he commended the fencer’s “excellence and perseverance,” underscoring the significance of these achievements for Hong Kong’s sporting reputation.
With the Olympics still underway, both Cheung and Haughey have set a promising tone for Hong Kong’s athletes, inspiring a city eager for more success on the global stage.