Lo Wai-fung, representing Hong Kong, China, faced a tough challenge in the men’s Taekwondo 68kg category at the Paris Olympic Games. Despite putting up a strong fight against national team athlete Liang Yushuai in the repechage, Lo was unable to secure a victory.
The match started off with both competitors displaying their skills in the first round. However, Liang managed to edge out a narrow 5-4 win. In the second round, Liang dominated the match, scoring 13 points with two body kicks, a head kick, and a five-point turning kick. This impressive performance brought an end to Lo’s Olympic debut.
Reflecting on his bouts, Lo mentioned feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. The grand stage at the Grand Palais and the enthusiastic crowd added to his nervousness, while the thrill of competing in his first Olympics filled him with excitement. Despite following his coaches’ strategies in the first round, Lo admitted that his opponent disrupted his rhythm in the second round, leading to his defeat.
Looking ahead, Lo expressed his desire to inspire more taekwondo practitioners from Hong Kong to pursue their Olympic dreams. His participation in the event marked a significant milestone, as he became the first Hong Kong athlete to qualify for the Olympics since Taekwondo was introduced as an Olympic sport in 2000.
Although Lo’s journey in the Paris Olympics came to an end, his determination and passion for the sport serve as a motivation for aspiring athletes in Hong Kong. As he continues to strive for excellence in taekwondo, Lo’s experience at the Olympics will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the local sports community.
