The Macau Karate Team achieved great success at the 15th National Games, securing three gold and two bronze medals. The outstanding performance came on the final day of the National Games karate competition, held at the Macau Forum on Thursday, where the local athletes appeared to have benefited from a home crowd.
Kumite, the sparring component of karate training, was the focus of these events, involving competitive offensive and defensive techniques. The standout stars for these events were Fong Man Wai and Iong Kuang Hou, who won gold medals in the women’s -55kg and men’s -67kg kumite categories, respectively.
This victory included Macau’s first-ever women’s gold medal in National Games history, achieved by Fong after she defeated the Henan team 2-0 in the final. Meanwhile, the men’s kumite saw Iong Kuang Hou win gold in a match that was ultimately decided by a foul from his opponent. This victory secured Macau’s third gold medal at the Games.
Bronze medals were secured by Xu Jia Cheng and Lei Hong Kio. Lei Hong Kio defeated Jiangsu 4-0 to earn bronze, while Xu Jia Cheng secured bronze after beating Shandong 2-1. Both achieved decisive wins.
Yesterday, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai sent a congratulatory letter praising the karate team’s achievements. He wrote, “This is the result of their persistent and diligent training, their pursuit of excellence, and their ability to surpass themselves.” He added that the achievement has brought great joy and pride to the residents of Macau.
Looking forward, the Chief Executive expressed hopes that all athletes would see this as a fresh start. He encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in sports and aim for even greater success in future competitions, “continuing to showcase their skills and bringing glory to the Macau Special Administrative Region,” he wrote.
Over this past weekend, Macau’s sports delegation also competed across various other disciplines, including road cycling, basketball, volleyball, wushu, diving, and table tennis.
Macau’s Men’s Kata Team Secures National Games Gold
Earlier on Thursday, Macau’s men’s team claimed the gold medal in the amateur group kata event at the 15th National Games, securing four consecutive wins at the Macao East Asian Games Dome. The award ceremony was presided over by Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai.
The Macau team, composed of Kuok Chin Hang, Fong Man Hou, and Cheang Pei Lok, delivered a decisive performance in the final against Hong Kong. They clinched the title with a score of 42.7 to 40.4.
Over the course of the competition, the team defeated Beijing, Guizhou, Shandong, and Hong Kong in succession.
To understand the achievement more fully, it helps to know about Kata, one of the key elements of karate. According to the World Karate Federation (WKF), Kata is the practice of performing sequences of specific karate moves against a virtual opponent. The ultimate goal of Kata is to maintain complete focus on the representation of the movements while executing the sequences with mastery, speed, precision, power, and fluidity.
It’s important to note that Kata is neither a dance nor a theatrical performance. Instead, it must follow the sport’s traditional values and principles, maintaining realism in fighting terms and displaying concentration, power, and potential impact in each technique.
Kata competitions take place on an 8-by-8-meter tatami mat. Competitors may choose any one of the 102 Katas approved by the WKF, and all performances begin and end with a bow, or “Rei,” honoring the sport’s respect and traditions.
National Games open with high-tech celebration of GBA culture
China’s 15th National Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, opened yesterday with a ceremony blending cutting-edge technology and rich cultural heritage to spotlight the spirit of the Greater Bay Area.
As China’s first-ever multi-sport event to be co-hosted by Hong Kong and Macau, the National Games presented an opening ceremony that combined simplicity, creativity, and technological brilliance.
The 75-minute program included the ceremony protocol, a cultural and artistic performance, and the torch relay and lighting process.
Wang Xi, an official from the organizing committee, said that the ceremony adheres to the principle of frugality, featuring a stage of nearly 20,000 square meters without any mechanical installations on the ground.
“We’ve selected cultural symbols and shared memories deeply rooted in the hearts of people across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau,” Wang said.
“Through modern artistic expression and innovative technology, we aim to let audiences feel both the passion of sports and the cultural charm of the Greater Bay Area.”
Powered by technologies such as robotics, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), the ceremony was expected to breathe new life into traditional culture. Audiences saw the iconic lion dance interacting with VR and AR effects, immersing them in a dragon boat race.
The opening show also fused tradition with modern performance styles – from ballet and hip-hop to symphonic music – to create resonance with younger audiences.
According to the organizers, the Games, which run until November 21, will further highlight technological innovation throughout the competition period, featuring more than 130 high-tech applications, including autonomous vehicles and AR digital wallets. MDT/Xinhua
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