Hong Kong’s elite fencing squad achieved a landmark victory at the National Games on November 19, securing the gold medal in the men’s team foil event. Spearheaded by Olympic champion Edgar Cheung Ka-long and world champion Ryan Choi Chun-yin, the team overcame formidable mainland Chinese opponents, capping a record-breaking performance for the city’s entire delegation at the multi-sport event held at the Kai Tak Arena.
Dominating the Team Competition
The pivotal victory arrived after individual foil events saw the Hong Kong athletes face earlier setbacks, including a bronze finish. However, the four-man roster—which also features rising talents Lawrence Ng Lok-wang and Leung Chin-yu—demonstrated exceptional synergy and resilience in the team final. They met the Fujian provincial team, who had previously bested some of the Hong Kong athletes, setting the stage for a dramatic rematch.
Driven by a passionate home audience, the Hong Kong team maintained a tight lead throughout the decisive match, pulling ahead 25-21 in the closing stages. Ryan Choi, demonstrating composure under pressure, delivered the final blows, securing a 5-2 score against Chen Weiquan and finalizing the victory with a commanding 45-34 scoreline. This win marks the first gold medal for Hong Kong in the men’s team foil event at the National Games, underscoring the city’s ascendancy in the sport.
A Record-Breaking Medal Haul
Hong Kong’s overall performance at the National Games, which concluded its competitions on November 20, was unprecedented. Participating across 28 events, Team Hong Kong amassed a total of 19 podium finishes, marking the city’s best-ever showing at the Games.
The overall breakdown of the medal haul includes:
- Nine Gold Medals
- Two Silver Medals
- Eight Bronze Medals
This impressive tally validates the world-class training and competitive environment fostering local athletes. The success of the fencing team, in particular, highlights the depth of talent extending beyond established stars like Cheung Ka-long.
Implications for International Standing
The National Games serves as a critical benchmark for evaluating athletic performance within China, and Hong Kong’s dominant performance in fencing solidifies its position as an Olympic powerhouse in the discipline.
The collaboration and strategic execution shown by the full team—not just its individual medalists—sends a strong signal to global rivals ahead of upcoming international championships. For the athletes, breaking personal best records while securing this gold reinforces their status as elite competitors and inspirational figures for the next generation of local sports stars. Moving forward, the city will surely leverage this momentum to invest further in high-performance sports programs, aiming for continued success on the world stage.