Force Kickboxers make a name in Hungary
The first three International Police Fight Competitions were held in Beijing (2002), Hamburg (2004) and Dallas (2005). They serve as a forum for police officers from different parts of the world to get to know one another through sports exchanges. All along, the Hong Kong Police Chinese Wushu Club has been sending representatives to the competitions, except in 2005 when officers were heavily engaged in HKMC-related duties.
The kickboxing team this year was led by Chief Inspector Joseph Au-Yeung and Station Sergeant Ho Chi-cheong, with Mr Lau Tak being the coach (Mr Lau is also the Hong Kong Police Chinese Wushu Club's kickboxing coach), with Police Constables Tu Shing-chi and Cheung Kai-on being the athletes.
PC Tu, attached to Marine West Division, joined 81-kg category and advanced to the final, fighting for the championship with a Hungarian police officer. It was definitely a difficult match for PC Tu, bearing in mind the Hungarian officer is a strong opponent and had the full support of the home fans.
With strong determination and better skills, PC Tu gained the upper hand in the second round and gave his opponent a number of decisive attacks, eventually making him unable to continue with the fight. As a result, PC Tu was ruled having technically knocked out his opponent in the second round and declared champion in his category.
In the 76-kg category, PC Cheung, from Sheung Shui Division, also advanced to the final and fought with a very strong competitor from the Mainland Public Security Bureau Vanguard. Though being far less experienced and skilful than his opponent, PC Cheung fought with courage and dedication. In spite of being the "underdog", PC Cheung tackled his opponent fearlessly with all his efforts and it was not until the final round that he lost the match. As a result, PC Cheung ranked second in his category and Hong Kong was awarded the third place overall, after Hungary (Champion) and Mainland (1st Runner-up).
Ecstatic at his success, PC Tu said after his match: "It's my honour to represent the Hong Kong Police in an international sports competition. It's an eye-opener and unforgettable experience that I can meet police officers from other countries and compete with them inside the ring."
Said PC Cheung, who was making his debut in an international kickboxing competition when he won the silver: "I am grateful to senior officers of the Hong Kong Police Chinese Wushu Club and the coach for giving me a chance to enter this competition, through which I have benefited tremendously."
Chief Superintendent Choy Kin-cheung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Police Chinese Wushu Club, is very happy with the results attained by the Hong Kong team. "This is the third occasion on which representatives of the Force took part in the International Police Fight Competition and the results were by far the best. I heartily appreciate the efforts made by the athletes and staff. Also, I hope that the success may attract more colleagues to take up Chinese kickboxing training, making the sport more popular within the Force. We may find more athletes with potential for future competitions and get even better results," he said.
CIP Au-Yeung, PC Tu (left) and PC Cheung proudly show off their trophies