New fencing star Ryan Choi gives Hong Kong a victory to savour
Cheung Ka-long secured the city's first fencing Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2021. Cheung repeated the feat at the Paris Games last year, where
Vivian Kong Man-wai also won gold. Now there is a new star to celebrate.
Advertisement
Ryan Choi Chun-yin is the first Hong Kong fencer to be the
world champion . He won the foil final in Georgia on Wednesday. It is an outstanding achievement. The victory has catapulted Choi to the world No 1 spot. The 27-year-old described it as a dream come true.
His triumph should act as an inspiration, conveying a powerful message that you should keep believing in your ability and never give up. Choi was
'desperate' after failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics and enduring a deeply disappointing run of results, including elimination in early rounds. He was on the verge of abandoning the rest of the season, but was persuaded to persevere by his coach.
The fencer, to his great credit, has engineered a
spectacular turnaround . He won the Shanghai Grand Prix in May and then the Asian Championships in Bali last month. The confidence gained from these victories propelled him to the world title. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui congratulated Choi, saying: 'We are thrilled.'
His landmark win underscores the need for Hong Kong to keep its foot firmly on the accelerator as it seeks to build on recent sporting successes, ensuring elite athletes have sufficient funding, facilities and coaching. Choi sparked debate last year when he
posted details of the expenses incurred by entry-level elite athletes when attending international tournaments. Support is needed for up and coming talent, not just those who have won top tournaments.
Advertisement
The future for fencing is bright and other sports can learn from it, notably the hiring of top coaches from overseas. The cycling team is following this example.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
2 hours ago
- RTHK
Ryan Choi ready for National Games after break
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.
RTHK
2 hours ago
- RTHK
Ryan Choi ready for National Games after break
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.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese 12-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi makes debut on world stage and doesn't disappoint
The globe had its first look at Chinese prodigy Yu Zidi on Sunday, when the 12-year-old made her debut at the World Aquatics Championships. And she did not disappoint on the opening day of the eight-day swimming competition in the pool in Singapore. Yu, who has been setting astounding times in China, clocked two minutes, 11.90 seconds in the 200-metre individual medley to advance to the semi-finals. Her time was a bit off her season best of 2:10.63, and left her 15th fastest of the 16 qualifiers. Yu will swim three events at the championships including the 400 IM and the 200 butterfly. The 200 IM is probably her weakest event. Her times in the butterfly and 200 IM in the recent Chinese championships are among the best in the world this season. Her best times in those two events would have been good for fourth place last year in the Paris Olympics.
