In the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Hong Kong native Cheung Ka Long became the second-ever Hong Kong athlete to win a gold medal, as the young left-handed fencer took home first place in the Men’s Individual Foil. Despite the weight of the tiny city resting upon his shoulders, he’s continued to find solace in his motto, “Don’t lose your way”, which appears on each pair of his match-worn shoes. In a fitting tribute to the gold medalist, Nike will celebrate both Long’s and the Air Max 97’s 25th birthday with a commemorative sneaker that captures and honors the first Hong Kong native to win a gold medal in the last 25 years.
Inspired by the city and its contrasting mountain landscape, the pair looks to gradient finishes that flood the surroundings of Hong Kong, delivered in colors and hues that Long is particularly fond of. Further features include a topographical map of Hong Kong’s tallest mountain peak – Tai Mo Shan – placed above a translucent tread, golden Swooshes that directly refer to his 2020 gold medal accomplishments, and his four-word motto printed along the Air Max bubble. Lastly, the pair’s ripstop tongue is fitted with hook-and-loop systems that enable customization of tongue tags, including various fencing and Swoosh-inspired patches.
Pairs were released earlier this month at Nike Hong Kong, but you shouldn’t rule out a wider release globally. So while we await further details on a potential release, enjoy an official look at Cheung Ka Long’s Air Max 97 below, and as always, keep your eyes glued to our official Twitter account for further updates.
Nike Air Max 97 “Cheung Ka Long”
HK Release Date: October 17, 2022
Style Code: FB8970-372
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