Of the original Greats, North Beggar Hung 7 Gung is my favorite. Not only were his signature martial arts, the Hong Lung 18 Palms and the Dog Beating Stick Technique, extremely powerful and cool, but he also had perhaps the most likeable personality among the original Greats. It's little wonder that Yau Chui Gei picked him as a favorite to win the Second Mt. Hua Sword Tournament.
Looking at Hung 7 Gung's actual combat record in L/ROCH, however, he seems to be a bit of a "loser." He was defeated by West Poison Au Yeung Fung on the latter's yacht, being badly injured (nearly losing his life) and rendered unable to practice his martial arts for nearly two years. After recovering from his injury thanks to the 9 Yum Jen Ging, Hung 7 Gung did indeed participate in the Second Mt. Hua Tournament, but was unable to defeat 20-year old Gwok Jing within 300 moves. Moreover, Hung 7 Gung lost to Au Yeung Fung two more times in short order immediately before and after that tournament. Twenty years or so later, Hung 7 Gung fought Au Yeung Fung one final time. The fight itself was a draw with both fighters losing their lives, but Au Yeung Fung one-upped Hung 7 Gung again by creating a move that could defeat the ultimate move (No Dogs In The World) of the Dog Beating Stick Technique.
As much as I like Hung 7 Gung, was he a big "loser?"