Ryan Choi ready for National Games after break
Ryan Choi plans to recharge first before taking on the National Games in November. Photo: RTHK
Fresh off making history for Hong Kong, China, fencing star Ryan Choi said his World Championships triumph has steeled his confidence for the National Games in November on home soil.
The 27-year-old, however, plans to recharge first before chasing further glory.
Choi cemented his status as world number one, after claiming the SAR's first-ever Fencing World Championships gold medal in Tbilisi, Georgia.
He secured the men's foil title with a decisive victory over Russia's Kirill Borodachev.
On returning to Hong Kong on Monday, Choi said he aims to deliver his best at the National Games, targeting at least a quarter-final finish.
"I think it gives me confidence, but at the same time, I feel less pressured because I got the title I wanted since day one of being a full-time fencer so I feel relieved and I'm happy to compete now," he said.
The world championship crowns a remarkable winning streak for Choi. Having already claimed the title at the Shanghai Foil Grand Prix in May and his first Asian Fencing Championships gold last month, he has secured three major titles consecutively.
"I am very grateful because I believe there are still several fencers who are stronger than me. I still feel that I do not deserve to be world number one, but heaven has given me this opportunity, and I sincerely feel content," Choi said.
"In the past, I might have had to remind myself to be content, but this time, I truly feel it from the heart."
Choi expressed profound gratitude to his family and friends, highlighting his parents' unwavering support for his passion.
He even addressed detractors with a triumphant, "I'm sorry, but I did it!"
Looking ahead, Choi is eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, emphasising team qualification is a key goal.
He acknowledged disappointment in the World Championships team foil event, where his team, including Edgar Cheung, Leung Chin-yu and Lawrence Ng finished seventh despite Choi believing they had top-four potential.
Though the athlete is currently sitting on the top spot, he said he still sees Cheung, who won two consecutive gold medals at the Olympics, as the strongest member of the team.
He said he believes the Hong Kong, China, fencing team will really show its prowess once Cheung recovers from his wrist injury.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
National Games shaping up to be a milestone in Greater Bay Area integration
The role of sport in bringing people closer together is well recognised. It is not confined to international competition between countries and individuals. Sport can cement national and regional unity. The coming National Games in the Greater Bay Area, in which Hong Kong has a prominent role as a co-host, is a case in point. The 100-day countdown to the opening ceremony began at the weekend. The high-level observance and fanfare in Greater Bay Area cities is testament to elevated expectations of Hong Kong and other co-hosts. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, attending both the local and Shenzhen countdown ceremonies, pledged that Hong Kong would provide an ' unforgettable experience'. The games, from November 9 to 21, will showcase more than 400 events across 34 sports, with Hong Kong hosting eight – fencing, men's under-22 basketball, track cycling, golf, men's handball, rugby sevens, triathlon and beach volleyball, plus two cross-border events – the marathon and road cycling – that will be co-hosted with Macau and Guangdong. In terms of cross-border arrangements and logistics involving athletes, officials and spectators, the games are looming as a bigger test than the mega-event debut of Kai Tak Stadium. The government expects 100,000 visitors from the mainland and overseas, accounting for up to 25 per cent of spectators. Coordinating the logistics across multiple venues will be a challenge. Thankfully, many young people have already answered the call for volunteers. The games are shaping up to be a milestone in Hong Kong's regional and national integration. Lee is in no doubt about their importance in putting the city on the global and regional sporting map. He pledged to focus on optimising the competition, refining services and strengthening safety.
RTHK
12 hours ago
- RTHK
Rope skipping body says it complies with flag rule
Rope skipping body says it complies with flag rule Athletes from Hong Kong, China take part in World Jump Rope Championships in Japan. Photo courtesy of the International Jump Rope Union The Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association, China said on Monday it has strictly followed the guidelines, after reports suggested the SAR regional flag shown at the medal ceremonies of the World Jump Rope Championships in Japan differed from the official design. The rope skipping association said the correct version of the SAR regional flag was given to the organisers earlier. More than 2,600 athletes from 34 countries and regions took part in the tournament recently held in Kawasaki, with representatives from Hong Kong, China winning a number of medals. The Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association, China said it has all along followed strictly the guidelines provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on the use of the regional flag and the national anthem when participating in overseas tournaments. The body added it had followed established procedures for the world championships in Japan by, for example, providing organisers with a file of the correct regional flag that was downloaded from the official government website. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, for its part, said it contacted the rope skipping association to learn about the case. The bureau also reminded sports organisations that the regional flag displayed at competitions must match the format and specifications stated on the government's webpage, and that they should reference guidelines issued by the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong cycling medal hope Ceci Lee shows National Games promise in Australia
Ceci Lee Sze-wing has delivered a timely reminder of her potential to become Hong Kong's National Games poster girl, as the city began its 100-day countdown to co-hosting the showpiece. The cyclist claimed a notable victory in a criterium race on Saturday in Brisbane, where the Hong Kong team are holding a month-long training camp. And on Sunday, Lee, 24, was second behind teammate Chloe Leung Wing-yee in a nip-and-tuck road race. Although Lee is desperately keen to take omnium gold in her hometown in November, she has been busily refining her road skills under endurance coach Ben Kersten. Not that she lacks pedigree for it: in 2021, Lee stunned a high-class field to become Hong Kong's first National Games road race champion at the age of 20. 'I'm learning more about how to find a good position for the final sprint, but also how my teammates can help me do that,' Lee said. 'The best teams form a good chain for a lead-out, and we're working on it a lot for the National Games. The course will be nearly all flat, so it's very likely to be a bunch sprint at the end.' Vincent Lau (left) aims champagne at road race winner Rayann Lacheny and third-placed Australian Ben Carman. Photo: Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China Kersten had an immediate impact following his appointment in March, when the Australian led a female Hong Kong quartet including Lee and Leung to Tour of Thailand success.
