Hong Kong’s top male foil fencers, led by Olympic medalist Edgar Cheung Ka-long and World Champion Ryan Choi Chun-yin, secured a historic gold medal in the team foil event at the 15th National Games on November 19, demonstrating world-class prowess and significantly boosting the city’s final medal count. The decisive victory over the Fujian team, achieved on home ground at the Kai Tak Arena, marked Hong Kong’s first-ever team foil gold at the prestigious mainland competition, solidifying the city’s status as a global fencing powerhouse.
Elite Team Nets Breakthrough Victory
The gold-winning squad featured an exceptional blend of experience and new talent: Edgar Cheung Ka-long, Ryan Choi Chun-yin, Lawrence Ng Lok-wang, and Leung Chin-yu. This triumph came just days after the individual events, where Choi and Cheung had secured a bronze medal and faced defeats against competitors, including Fujian’s Xu Jie. However, the team rallied for the final match, transforming those individual setbacks into collective motivation.
The atmosphere in Kai Tak Arena was electric, fueled by an enthusiastic local crowd eager to watch the rematch against the strong Fujian contingent. Hong Kong maintained a consistent lead throughout the final, establishing a 25-21 advantage by the closing bouts. The critical segment saw Ryan Choi deliver a stellar performance, defeating Chen Weiquan by a score of 5-2, which cemented the victory. The final score settled at a commanding 45-34, underscoring the team’s dominant execution and tactical superiority.
This performance not only set a new personal record for the fencers but also provided a moment of immense national pride for Hong Kong sport. The win reaffirms the effectiveness of the city’s athletic development programs, particularly in fencing, following Cheung’s monumental success at the previous Olympics.
Record Medal Tally Closes National Games
The 15th National Games concluded the following day, November 20, marking a highly successful outing for the Hong Kong delegation. Team Hong Kong competed across 28 events and amassed a record haul of 19 total medals.
The final count included:
- Nine Gold Medals
- Two Silver Medals
- Eight Bronze Medals
This unprecedented number of podium finishes reflects a significant achievement for Hong Kong’s athletes on the national stage. The team foil gold was a stellar highlight, contributing substantially to the delegation’s successful campaign.
The performance at the National Games demonstrates Hong Kong’s ongoing commitment to cultivating elite sporting talent capable of competing—and winning—against the best in the region. The spotlight on sports like fencing, historically an area of strength, promises continued investment and international representation for the city in future global competitions. Fans and aspiring athletes alike are now looking ahead to see how this current generation of fencers will perform at the next round of world championships and international games.