Hong Kong’s Chan Yui-lam clinched the silver medal in the S14 100m butterfly at the 2024 Paris Paralympics on Thursday (29th), securing her first Paralympic medal. Reflecting on her narrow fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Paralympics, where she missed the podium by just 0.15 seconds, the Asian record holder admitted it was the most disappointing race of her career.

She especially thanked those around her for helping her overcome the disappointment of the Tokyo Paralympics: “I was indeed upset for a while, but I found many family members, friends, coaches, and teammates to talk to. They told me ‘there’s always a next time before your sports career ends,’ which helped me move forward.”

Read more: In Pictures: Paralympics Games Paris 2024’s opening ceremony

Hong Kong swimmer Siobhán Haughey wins another bronze medal at the Games! She completed 100m freestyle with a time of 52.33 seconds. Swedish swimming star Sarah Sjoestroem, also the 100m freestyle world record holder, won the gold at 52.16, followed by Torri Huske from the United States who finished the race at 52.29.

With a total of four medals won in the Tokyo Olympics and the Paris Olympics, Haughey became the most decorated Hong Kong Olympian in history. 

Read more: 5 times Siobhán Haughey ruled the pool, from the Olympics to the Asian Games

Siobhán Haughey wins a bronze medal in the women’s 200m Freestyle at the Paris Olympics!

Hong Kong’s swim star touched in at 1:54.55, securing a podium finish in a lightning-fast final. Australia’s Mollie O’Callaghan claimed gold with a new Olympic record of 1:53.27, while countrywoman Ariarne Titmus took 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 I also believe in my own strength and I know how much effort I have put into my training in the past few years, so it’s very special.”

But Haughey’s not done yet—catch her 100m freestyle heat on July 30th, 6:47 PM HKT. 

Golden lightning strikes twice! Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long stands atop the Olympic podium once again. In the men’s individual foil event, he edged out Italy’s Filippo Macchi with a score of 15-14, while the bronze medal was claimed by Nick Itkin from the United States. 

Cheung not only successfully defended his title but also became the third fencer since 1956 to win consecutive gold medals in foil at this sporting spectacle! This marks Hong Kong’s second gold medal of the Paris Olympic Games.

“I’m very happy that my dad came to see me and I could give him a birthday present–his birthday is in July,” Cheung said. “I’ve just tried to look for [family] but I don’t think I can see them.”

Read more: Cat lover, athletic family, Olympic gold medallist and more: 7 things to know about Edgar Cheung Ka-long, Hong Kong Olympic fencing champion

Congratulations to fencer Vivian Kong for clinching gold in the individual épée, and making her Olympic podium debut, a sight surely stirring the hearts of all watching.

The 2019 Gen.T honoree once wisely said: “With a small heart, everything seems enormous; with a big heart, everything appears manageable. We must cultivate a greater perspective.”

Speaking to the media, the 30-year-old and world number one cried tears of joy and thanked fans in Hong Kong for staying up, despite the six-hour time difference. “I’m really thankful, I’m really grateful,” Kong said. “I’m just so lucky… in fencing anything can happen, and I love all the girls here, and I just can’t believe it’s me.”

Her remarkable achievement has not only brought immense pride to Hong Kong but has also inspired aspiring athletes all over Asia. From Adrian Cheng to Janice Chan-Choy: the Tatler community has been buzzing with excitement and pride, sharing heartfelt congratulations and support on Instagram.

Read more: Meet Vivian Kong, Hong Kong’s fencing queen who ranks top in the world

Paris Olympics’s opening ceremony was a spectacular show. 

With special performances by Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, and appearances from international athletes such as Zinedine Zidane and Raphael Nadal as well as celebrities like Snoop Dog and Pharell Williams: here’s everything you might have missed from the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.

READ MORE

15 documentaries about female athletes and women’s sports teams to watch now

Paris Olympics opening ceremony: 7 team uniforms, from South Korea to Mongolia, that merge utility with a unique cultural twist

Swimmer Camille Cheng on representing Hong Kong for the third time at the Olympics and on the challenges of competing as a mixed athlete