Force boxers make history
at World Police and Fire Games
The medallists, PC Chan Ying-wai (gold) from Yuen Long Division and PC Tsang Wai-kwong (bronze) from Tai Po Division, have paid for their success with a lot of pain, sweat and blood!
Yuen Long Divisional Commander Daniel Lawley has provided the following vivid account of Ying-wai's triumphant moments.
"A well timed left jab, followed by a crisp right cross, snapped back the head of the tough Mexican policeman as the bell sounded the end of the second round. The crowd, several hundred strong, was by now all on their feet and roaring their approval .......
"As Chan Ying-wai slumped into his corner seat, I removed his blooded mouth guard as he gasped for air in the stiflingly hot University of Laval Boxing area.
"How do you feel?
"I am completely exhausted!" Ah Wai replied.
"I looked deep into his tired eyes and reminded this tough little fighter of all the hard training we had put in over the last two years. All the sweat and blood he had paid during hundreds of rounds of sparing in our Boxing gym in Tai Po. 'We need this last round desperately,' I said, 'Go out there and win this ...... the whole of the Hong Kong Police Force is counting on you!
"Two minutes later, after a furious head to head slugging match, the two proud warriors stood either side of the referee, pensively awaiting the decision of the judges .......
"'Ladies and Gentlemen,' the announcement came, 'the winner, by split decision ...... from the Hong Kong Police Force, Chan Ying-wai!'"
Added Mr Lawley: "History had been made. The Hong Kong Police had won its first ever gold medal for boxing at the World Police and Fire Games, and every member of our delegation who had come to watch, felt their hearts bursting with justifiable pride!!!"
Mr Lawley was also very impressed by Wai-kwong's performance. "He had also done extremely well to fight his way into the semi-final rounds, where he narrowly lost to the gold medal winner in his weight class. He did, however, win the bronze medal at Light Middleweight, which is also a fantastic result for the Force."
Mr Lawley gives Ying-wai (right) and Wai-kwong a lot of encouragement outside the ring