Nike infuses Olympic fencer Cheung Ka Long's spirit into new product

Nike has incorporated the spirit of Olympic fencer Cheung Ka Long through introducing its all-new colourway of the Air Max 97. Developed together with Cheung, the shoe is designed to reflect and inspire the next generation of athletes with the Cheung’s philosophy.

The spirit of never done is the fuel shared by Nike and the athletes it serves. The brand aims to break barriers to inspire and create a better future for the next generation of athletes in Hong Kong, done with collaboration of local fencer Cheung Ka Long as the Gen Z icon of athletes.

At age 25 Cheung has reached one after another height of his fencing career, creating history for his sport and collective pride moments for his city, according to the release. "He doesn’t stop there; he strives to go beyond. To the new generation of Hong Kong, he is a source of courage, inspiring them to chase their dreams and live their passion," said the release.

Cheung became a household name overnight after winning the gold in Tokyo, little was known to the public that before 2021 he was struggling through a difficult period, “I wasn’t playing very well, and could only see the ‘misses’ in my performance and points lost in matches”, Cheung recalled.

“Don’t Lose Your Way”— this simple phrase came to him at this important time and shifted his perspective, and later on guided him as a beacon into the incredible two years of his fencing career. Adopting the habit from basketball players, Cheung wrote "Don’t Lose Your Way” on every pair of his game shoes, as a reminder to not let his sight waver from what matters: his love for fencing.

From the beginning Cheung was deeply involved in the design process of this project, providing insights to the new introduction of Air Max 97.

Furthermore, Cheung's favorite colour olive green is the primary color for the sneaker and Nike Tee. On the sneaker it extends into a beautiful earth tone gradient, a palette often found on Cheung’s everyday outfits. The gold swoosh detailing represents the gold medals at the important moments in his fencing career. The elements of Hong Kong sprinkled throughout the sneaker, with the most prominent is the contour map of Tai Mo Shan on the outsole.

The highest peak of Hong Kong also serves as a tribute to Cheung’s accomplishments as he reaches for new heights in his never ending journey. Engraved on the side of airbag is "Don’t Lose Your Way". From his game shoes to this sneaker, “I hope this encourages you: don’t give up and don’t lose sight of what’s important.” Cheung’s motto remains in a subtle yet powerful presence, reminding consumers of the limitless potential in every young athlete and in sport.

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