As he reflected in a high-rise Wan Chai pizza restaurant on Italy’s breathless team foil World Championships final victory over Hong Kong, Filippo Macchi could not help winding his mind further back to the Olympic gold medal bout he lost to Cheung Ka-long two years ago. “I still have some nightmares about it, because I put all my energy and efforts into this sport every day,” Macchi told the South China Morning Post. Also a silver medallist in the individual global competition last week, Macchi led Cheung 14-12 in Paris before the Hongkonger mustered one of his characteristic comebacks to claim the final three points. “[Despite the disappointment] I never give up at any moment, even when it’s very tough to push forward with my heart,” Macchi, the world No 4, said. The Italian contingent celebrated their World Championships dominance on Wednesday night at an event hosted by the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong.