Hong Kong Taunts Italy With Pineapple Pizza After Olympics Fencing Win

Losing an Olympic fencing title bout to the champion from Hong Kong was difficult enough for the Italian. Then came the pizza slander.

Cheung Ka Long’s triumph over Filippo Macchi of Italy in the gold medal bout in men’s foil on Monday has led to a sour fallout that has spilled off the fencing strip: Pizza Hut’s Hong Kong and Macao branch has offered free pineapple toppings on its pies as fans on social media praised the combination widely shunned by the losing side.

“All Hong Kong people are very happy and excited today!” the branch said in a Facebook post on Tuesday announcing the offer, adding it was also celebrating a bronze medal the Chinese territory had won on Monday, in the women’s 200-meter freestyle.

For Hong Kong, which has already doubled its total historical gold medal count, to four, this week, the Paris Olympics have been an occasion for major celebration. After winning one in 1996 and another in 2021, it has won two golds this year, both in fencing. Vivian Kong clinched a title in the women’s épée individual competition.

People in Italy, which has the most Olympic fencing medals of any nation, were disgruntled after referees ruled in favor of Hong Kong in what was a tightly fought men’s foil match. Controversy surrounded the final point, awarded after referees replayed footage on three separate occasions while both players were convinced they had won.

Cheung eventually came out on top, with a 15-14 victory. He became the first athlete from Hong Kong to win two Olympic gold medals, and the third man to defend his title in the event.

“It’s insane for me because I try hard every day to fight, to come to Paris, to France, to qualify for the Olympics,” he said after his win. “Now, another dream has come true.”