The Honorary Degree Recipients

Mr Cheung Ka-long is a renowned Hong Kong foil fencer who represented the Hong Kong fencing team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He won an Olympic gold medal in Men’s Foil Individual for Hong Kong, making him the city’s first Olympic champion after Hong Kong’s return to China. Since his childhood, Cheung has been passionate about fencing. He decided to embark on a full-time career as a fencing athlete at the age of 15. Over the years, Cheung has achieved many accolades and participated in numerous international competitions. He won the title in the Foil Team and Individual categories of both cadet and junior events at the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships 2014, Foil Individual at the Asian Fencing Championships 2016 and the World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships a year later. At the 2018 Asian Games, he captured a silver and bronze medal in the team and individual events respectively. Cheung has demonstrated his tremendous commitment to fencing with his unparalleled spirit and determination, making him an excellent role model for young people. His remarkable achievements have not only elevated the status of Hong Kong athletes in the international sports arena, but also raised Hong Kong people's interest in sports and brought the city’s sports development to the next new level.

Chairman,

Mr Cheung Ka-long, who is receiving an honorary doctoral degree today, has made a tremendous contribution to the Hong Kong sports scene as exemplified by his historic Olympic gold medal win in the Men’s Foil Individual at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

This achievement is especially significant as it was the first Olympic gold medal won by a Hong Kong athlete since the city’s return to Mainland China in 1997, and only the second gold medal won in Hong Kong’s history after another local athlete, Lee Lai-shan, triumphed in windsurfing at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Being just a 24-year-old at the time, Ka-long fought a hard battle at the Tokyo Olympics, coming back from a score of 1–4 against the Rio 2016 Olympic champion Daniele Garozzo of Italy at the start of the final match to ultimately win by 15–11, much to the delight of his adoring fans back home.

This was not the first time Ka-long made sporting history for Hong Kong. Before taking home the Olympic gold in 2021, he won the title in the Foil Team and Individual categories of both cadet and junior events at the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships 2014; Foil Individual at the Asian Fencing Championships 2016 and the World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships a year later. At the 2018 Asian Games, he captured a silver and bronze medal in the team and individual events respectively.

More recently, he won the individual gold at the Men’s Foil World Cup 2022 in Paris. Ka-long was later ranked number one in the world — “a dream come true” as the star athlete had said.

At the age of five, Ka-long developed an interest in sports thanks to his parents, who were both basketball players in Hong Kong. Initially interested in basketball, he took up fencing at eight years old when his father asked if he would take a fencing course as basketball classes were suspended during the summer break. He eventually said yes and his fencing dream began from there. By the age of 17, he decided that fencing would become his full-time career.

Ka-long’s success is by no means a coincidence but a result of perseverance and hard work. “It's crucial to control unexpected and tough situations,” he said. “Instead of putting pressure on myself, I focus more on how I can do my best during every single moment.”

All these efforts paid off handsomely for Ka-long, as reflected in the number of accolades and awards he has earned over the years. Among these, he was named as one of the Outstanding Junior Athletes five times between 2013 and 2016 by the Hong Kong Sports Institute. At the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards organised by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Ka-long was one of the Hong Kong Potential Sports Stars in 2013, one of the Hong Kong Sports Stars in 2016 and 2017, and named “Best of the Best” in 2022.

Beyond his individual contributions to the sport of fencing, his drive and determination to excel have made him a role model for young people. Since his Olympic triumph in 2021, fencing schools across Hong Kong have received hundreds of enquiries from parents wanting to enrol their children in classes. According to one head of a Hong Kong fencing school, this upsurge in interest was due to something he called the "Ka-long effect".

Chairman, in recognition of his many remarkable achievements in fencing and for inspiring young people's interest in sports, it is my great honour to present Mr Cheung Ka-long for the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa.

Chairman Lam, President Teng, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Hello everyone. Today I attend the Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University with great joy. I express my heartfelt thanks to PolyU for the conferment of the honorary doctoral degree, and may I take this occasion to thank everyone in attendance for coming.

Growth
As an athlete, fencing encompasses my life. Perhaps many people would think practising day after day and year after year is a tedious thing. As a matter of fact, I have sometimes felt this way myself, especially when I have encountered bottlenecks. I would feel perplexed and even question whether I was suitable for fencing. Nevertheless, when I recall what I experienced, I started to realise I am so passionate about fencing. It also made me understand that my persistence is the source of strength to overcome adversities. Now I am calm when facing defeat and attaining victories. In the past, I would feel angry about losing a competition, but now I can enjoy and learn from every match. I am so thankful that something I truly enjoy has become my profession, and thankful for what I have experienced which has helped me grow.

Success
On the road to success, I am never alone. I would like to thank my parents for their kindness. They have been supportive of my pursuit, showing me warm affection and care. They mean a lot to me. I would like to thank my coaches. They have taught me all that they know, according to my aptitude and capabilities. They have provided me with challenges, inspiration, as well as encouragement. I am also grateful to the government, the Hong Kong Sports Institute, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, as well as the Hong Kong Fencing Association for their ceaseless support. With their help I can concentrate on training and competition. They deserve a great deal of credit for my success.

Helping Others Excel
PolyU’s conferment of the honorary doctoral degree to me is actually a recognition for all athletes. If we persist, no matter what our professions are, we can positively influence and contribute to society. I am glad to know that during the Tokyo Olympics the people in Hong Kong were very enthusiastic in supporting me, and I have found that people are increasingly concerned with sports and athletes. I will treasure the influence I possess, and will try to promote sports activities so that more people will participate. I will also strive hard to study to enhance my personal growth. I hope I can set a good example for young people. I hope that all sectors of the community can continually support the development of sports in Hong Kong. I will also pay attention to further enhancing my fencing ability. I sincerely hope that in future international competitions I can bring more victories to Hong Kong.

Thank you!