CE hopes for ‘greater success’ in local sports as karate team clinches gold | MACAU DAILY TIMES 澳門每日時報
Macau’s karate contingent put on a statement performance at the 15th National Games, closing out the karate program with a five-medal haul: three golds and two bronzes. With the final bouts staged at the Macau Forum, a raucous home crowd seemed to lift the local athletes as they delivered a series of decisive wins.
The day belonged to the kumite specialists. In the women’s -55kg category, Fong Man Wai etched her name into history by securing Macau’s first-ever women’s gold at the National Games, sealing the final 2-0 against Henan. In the men’s -67kg bracket, Iong Kuang Hou topped the podium after a tense finale that swung Macau’s way following a decisive penalty against his opponent.
Bronze medals also landed in Macau’s column. Lei Hong Kio swept Jiangsu 4-0 to take third, while Xu Jia Cheng edged Shandong 2-1 in another confident display. Together, the results capped a banner day for the city’s fighters and cemented Macau as one of the standout delegations in the sport.
Team kata adds another golden chapter
Earlier on Thursday at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, Macau’s men’s team kata lineup — Kuok Chin Hang, Fong Man Hou, and Cheang Pei Lok — produced a clean run to the title in the amateur group event. They recorded four straight wins, culminating in a final victory over Hong Kong with scores of 42.7 to 40.4. The award ceremony was presided over by Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, underscoring the significance of the achievement for local sport.
CE salutes athletes, calls for a new push
Following the triumphs, the Chief Executive issued a congratulatory note praising the team’s relentless preparation and competitive mindset. He highlighted their discipline and resilience, saying the results have energized the city and become a source of pride for residents. He also urged Macau’s athletes to treat the medals as a springboard, aiming even higher at future events to continue bringing honor to the Special Administrative Region.
Beyond karate, Macau’s delegation remained active across multiple disciplines over the weekend, including road cycling, basketball, volleyball, wushu, diving, and table tennis — a reminder of the broad base of sports the city is developing as it looks to elevate its competitive footprint.
Kumite and kata: two faces of the same art
Karate at the Games showcased both the dynamic flair of kumite and the precision of kata. Kumite is the sport’s dueling side — tactical, fast-paced, and rich in attack-and-defend exchanges. Kata, by contrast, demands absolute focus as athletes perform codified sequences against an imagined opponent, demonstrating control, speed, power, accuracy, and flow.
In official contests, kata takes place on an 8-by-8-meter tatami. Competitors select from an approved pool of more than a hundred forms, and every routine starts and ends with a bow — Rei — in keeping with karate’s deep-rooted respect and tradition. While kata can look theatrical to the uninitiated, the emphasis remains firmly on martial realism: each motion should convey intent, potential impact, and concentrated energy.
Opening ceremony blends heritage with immersive tech
The 15th National Games — co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau — opened with a 75-minute showcase that fused cultural motifs of the Greater Bay Area with modern stagecraft. In line with a streamlined, frugal approach, the vast performance space avoided heavy ground machinery while still delivering a polished, tech-forward production.
The show leaned on robotics as well as extended-reality flourishes like VR and AR to reimagine familiar traditions. An iconic lion dance sequence synced with digital overlays, while an immersive dragon boat set piece pulled spectators into the action. The program bridged eras and tastes, weaving ballet, hip-hop, and symphonic arrangements to connect with younger audiences without losing the event’s cultural core.
With momentum building on the tatami and a forward-looking multisport platform now underway, Macau’s athletes and officials are eyeing the weeks ahead with intent. The goal is clear: turn a golden day for karate into a broader surge of results — and, as the CE put it, push for even greater success on the national stage.
