5 things to know about Edgar Cheung
Jul 26, 2024
As one of the two torch bearers for Hong Kong at the Paris Olympics, fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-Long is one to watch out for. Olivia Bullock finds out some fun facts about the left-handed foil fencer, two-time individual Asian champion, two-time Olympian, and 2021 individual Olympic champion
He was the first athlete in Hong Kong to win a gold medal in fencing
Cheung Ka-Long (also known as Edgar Cheung) is the first Hong Kong athlete to win a gold medal in fencing and the second to become an Olympic champion. He also won gold at the men’s individual foil event at the 2023 Asian Games. The fencer faced an Olympic champion, a world champion and a junior champion to secure his win.
The star had already set a record before achieving his gold medal at the Tokyo Games by finishing 11th out of 16. His success is not limited to the medals, as Cheung has received a plethora of titles since his sporting success. Most notably he has been named Male Star of the Male Star Athletes and Outstanding Male Athlete, in addition to being awarded Best of the Best Award at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sports Awards.
As of this year, he has emerged as No.1 in the world following his gold medal at the Turin Men’s Foil Grand this year. His pre competition ritual of listening to upbeat music is clearly working!
He is a cat lover
Cheung appears to be a cat lover as the fencing star has four cats: three American shorthairs and one Ragdoll. He even appears to have a favourite, Zimba, who he frequently posts. He even has a story dedicated to the fluffy two-year-old American shorthair.
He quit full time education at the age of 15
The fencer once attended Ying Wa College but quit after Form Four to become a full-time athlete. He confessed he felt as though it was too difficult to juggle education and be the best version of himself in the fencing world.
He shared that he had to relentlessly ask his father to leave full-time education and that it was one of the bravest things he has ever done due to his reluctance to agree. He has previously expressed that an athlete’s time frame is limited whereas education can be pursued at any time. Moreover, he has inspired what many coaches refer to as the ‘Ka-Long effect,’ following a rush of youngsters joining fencing classes following the athlete’s gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Both of his parents were also athletes
Both of Cheung’s parents competed in the Hong Kong A1 Division Championship. The league was the top basketball competition in the city at the time. Despite initially raising him to play basketball, the fencer has shared they were very supportive of his decision to pursue another sport instead.
He began fencing as a way to kill time over summer at 10 years old. His father had asked if he’d be interested in taking a course, and it wasn’t long before he was competing in local competitions and realised that he had a knack for the sport.
Despite the fact he did not pursue basketball as a career, it still remains one of his hobbies.
He gets free public transport for life
The MTR Corporation gifted the athlete free rides for life as a reward for his impressive accomplishments. The Kowloon Motor Bus company had also given both Cheung and his friends free rides for a year after his Olympic win. Although one has to ask, will a gold medal Olympian need to take public transport anymore?
His old college, Lam Tai Fai College, gifted the athlete HK$2.5 million and a classroom named after him. The Henderson Land Commendation Scheme for Elite Athletes also gifted the Olympian a staggering HK$5 million… it is unlikely he will be struggling for funds anytime soon.
Hong Kong Baptist University’s Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme also awarded him a scholarship for a Bachelors in Physical Education and Recreation management at the university.
After becoming a brand ambassador for Dior in 2021, the athlete now has access to one of the world’s best luxury fashion houses. He has previously mentioned this is advantageous for him as he now has plenty of sneakers to choose from.
