• Hong Kong Fencers Achieve Historic Breakthrough, Secure National Games Gold

    Hong Kong Fencers Achieve Historic Breakthrough, Secure National Games Gold

    Hong Kong’s elite men’s foil team shattered a long-standing barrier on Thursday evening, claiming the delegation’s first-ever fencing gold medal at the National Games of China (All-China Games). Competing at the Kai Tak Sport Park in Hong Kong, the quartet—comprised of Olympic champion Cheung Ka-long, along with Ryan Choi, Lawrence Ng, and Nicholas Chan—delivered a dominant performance in the final, overcoming the defending champions, Fujian, with a decisive 45-34 victory in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao division team event.

    The win marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong sports and establishes the team as a formidable force on the national stage. The final was held before a packed and energetic home crowd, generating an electrifying atmosphere that fueled the local athletes. The intensity of the match reflected the high stakes, with both teams displaying exceptional tactical precision and speed, though ultimately the Hong Kong squad proved superior in the decisive final period.

    The victory is particularly significant as it builds upon the individual success of Cheung Ka-long, who previously won individual gold at the Tokyo Olympics. This team triumph validates Hong Kong’s investment in fencing development and promises further competitive excellence in future international tournaments.

    The competitive edge was matched by a moment of unexpected celebrity interaction post-match. Hong Kong broadcaster ViuTV arranged for celebrity Edan Lui of the popular boyband MIRROR to serve as a special correspondent, interviewing the victorious fencing team. Lui, a former university roommate of foilist Ryan Choi, shared photos on social media, including one where he posed holding Choi’s newly won gold medal.

    In a jovial post, Lui celebrated the team’s achievement, writing light-heartedly about finally touching his “first gold medal” and thanking the fencing team, coaches, and spectators. He concluded the post by playfully challenging Choi to continue training, adding a touch of humor and camaraderie to the historic event. This synergy between sports high-achievers and popular entertainment figures highlights the broad societal impact of the team’s success.

    The achievement at the National Games offers more than just a medal; it provides a powerful psychological boost for Hong Kong athletes heading into the next Olympic cycle and future regional championships. The historic win unequivocally demonstrates that sustained excellence in training and targeted support can translate into top-tier results against the best competitors in the region.

    As Hong Kong prepares to host more major international sporting events, this inaugural fencing gold serves as a powerful reminder of the territory’s growing prowess in competitive athletics, inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue excellence in previously untapped disciplines.

  • TVB Gala Honors Anniversary with Star-Studded Comedy and Nostalgia

    TVB Gala Honors Anniversary with Star-Studded Comedy and Nostalgia

    Hong Kong, November 20 (ANSA) – Hong Kong broadcaster Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) celebrated its annual anniversary gala, “Thousands of Stars Award Ceremony,” on Sunday evening at its headquarters, featuring elaborate comedy routines, celebrity appearances, and high-fashion segments that paid tribute to the network’s decades-long history. The highlight of the evening was the return of beloved comedy trio, “Fuk Luk Sau” (Eric Tsang, Louis Yuen, and Johnson Lee), who revitalized their iconic impressions, leading to roars of laughter from the live audience and high ratings expectation.

    The evening blended traditional glitz with cutting-edge entertainment, asserting TVB’s enduring role in Cantonese popular culture.

    Comedy Trio Steals the Show with Sharp Parodies

    The segment titled “Fuk Luk Sau Matchmaking Plan” saw the comedic actors deliver highly anticipated celebrity impersonations, showcasing both nostalgia and pointed satire related to current industry dynamics.

    Louis Yuen (阮兆祥), known for his masterful mimicry, transformed into a heavily padded version of “Man Je” from the fictional sequel News Queen 2, a nod to the highly successful drama series. Meanwhile, Johnson Lee (李思捷) donned blackface makeup to perform a rendition of Louis Koo’s hit song, “The Trend This Period,” famously incorporating elements of Raymond Lam’s signature chair dance. Lee concluded his act by playfully smearing the black makeup onto the white suit jacket of host Bob Lam, simulating an unconventional “signature.”

    The most widely discussed moment involved Eric Tsang (王祖藍), who delivered a stunningly accurate impersonation of veteran TV personality Nat Chan (陳百祥), known colloquially as “Ah Lek.” Tsang’s monologue satirized a recent, controversial interview given by Chan regarding executive changes within TVB.

    Mimicking Chan’s distinctive cadence and exaggerated expressions, Tsang restructured the anecdote to focus on the trio’s own group dynamics. Tsang’s character provocatively claimed that the addition of Johnson Lee and Louis Yuen to the “Fuk Luk Sau” partnership was specifically intended to lead to Tsang’s own dismissal.

    “Imitation is inherently a sunset industry,” Tsang-as-Chan quipped, referencing his own success. “My ’Fun Lucky Smart Star’ ratings averaged over 30 points. But why fire me? You have to tell the truth. So I’m telling the truth now. Once, in Enjoy Yourself Tonight [EYT], Louis Yuen was an imitator, but Eric Tsang was merely an audience member. Then, the audience member suddenly becomes Chief Creative Officer, and the people who worked for you become your boss. Now, you’ve become their boss again—fire them! It’s that simple.”

    The routine concluded with Tsang performing a parody cover of Nat Chan’s theme song, “I Am the Smartest.” The cameras captured General Manager Eric Tsang (曾志偉) laughing heartily from the audience, validating the sharp, self-referential humor.

    Stars Take the Runway in ‘Tailoring Magic’

    Beyond the comedy, the gala also served as a major fashion showcase. The “Tailoring Magic Celebrates Anniversary” segment transformed the stage into a chic runway, featuring a diverse array of major network stars modeling avant-garde looks.

    Among the prominent figures walking the catwalk were legendary actress Liza Wang (汪明荃), veteran star Uncle Fu (胡楓), singer Maria Cordero (肥媽), and actors Law Lok Lam (羅樂林) and Lee Ka Ting (李家鼎). Younger, highly popular couples and celebrities such as Edwin Siu (蕭正楠) and his wife Priscilla Wong (黃翠如), alongside fan favorites Chow Ka Lok (周嘉洛), Karl Ting (孔德賢), Kenneth Ma (馬國明), and Tracy Chu (高海寧), ensured wide generational appeal.

    The anniversary special, which traditionally marks the biggest annual event for TVB, showcased the network’s ability to combine high production values with localized, relevant humor, reinforcing its cultural benchmark status in the region’s entertainment landscape.

  • Veteran Performer Leads Gala, Unexpected Prize Sparks On-Stage Jest

    HONG KONG – A celebratory atmosphere infused the annual TVB Anniversary Gala on Sunday evening as scores of celebrities convened at Television City for a major televised spectacular. The evening, a cornerstone event celebrating the broadcaster’s achievements, featured a dynamic musical performance led by veteran actor Michael Tse alongside approximately 30 of the network’s emerging, younger female artists. Following the elaborate song-and-dance segment, the spotlight shifted to a highly anticipated prize draw, which quickly became the source of good-natured banter and on-stage amusement.

    The first major prize, an extraordinary haul of 20 round-trip air tickets to Bangkok, Thailand, was drawn by Tse. To the surprise and delight of the cast, the winning ticket belonged to actress Chloe Ho. The announcement immediately triggered a series of playful exchanges among the hosts, involving Ho and actor Ryan Yuen, an emerging talent who was serving as an emcee for the evening.

    Fellow host Bob Lam seized the impromptu opportunity to tease Yuen, whom he lightheartedly referenced as Ho’s “rumored boyfriend.” As per Lam’s request, Yuen was tasked with officially announcing Ho’s victory. Before Ho could reach the stage to accept the massive prize, Lam jokingly pressed Yuen, asking if he planned to accompany Ho on the numerous resulting trips. The persistent teasing continued when co-host Au Wing Kuen urged Yuen to articulate Ho’s specific good qualities, placing Yuen in a momentarily awkward state, much to the amusement of the live audience and his co-hosts.

    The spectacular winning streak continued throughout the evening. Miss Hong Kong 2023 title holder, Hilary Chan, secured another significant prize in a subsequent draw, capping off the celebratory event with palpable excitement and confirming her rise within the industry ranks.

    The annual gala serves not only as a television milestone but also as an important showcase for TVB’s stable of rising talent. The collaborative performance, helmed by the established Michael Tse, underscored the seamless transition between generations of performers within the broadcasting company. The festive segment, coupled with the spontaneous, light-hearted interactions during the prize giveaway, reinforces the celebratory nature of the event, which is designed to engage viewers and honor the station’s yearly accomplishments in entertainment production. Such galas are crucial for maintaining high viewer engagement and spotlighting performers in a high-profile, non-scripted setting.