Olympic fencer Cheung Ka-long to compete in first event since winning gold in Tokyo, as Hong Kong Open returns after two-year absence
- The 24-year-old confirms he will take to the piste this weekend as event returns with more prize money on offer
- ‘Anyone who thinks their spot is sealed is lying,’ national team head coach Zheng Kangzhao says ahead of 2022 Asian Games selection
Hong Kong Olympic champion Cheung Ka-long is set to return for his first competition since his triumph in Tokyo, with the Blue Cross Insurance 2021 Hong Kong Open Fencing Championships taking place this weekend.
“I’m feeling OK. My leg is still in a bit of pain, but I will compete,” the 24-year-old Cheung said on Tuesday. “Because it’s my first event since the Olympics, it’s about getting back that competitive feeling after being inactive for some time.”
The event takes place at the AsiaWorld Expo on November 27 and 28, a venue Cheung is familiar with.
“Very few Hong Kong athletes get to compete at such a big facility,” he said. “I competed previously at the Expo at the Asian Championships [in 2017], so the feeling will be very similar to that.
“There won’t be much different in terms of approach. I will compete as I usually go. I don’t give myself any pressure, like what place I want to get, or that I have to win in the final. It’s better to go to each event not thinking about the magnitude.”
This year’s Open, which was cancelled for the past two years because of coronavirus restrictions, will feature 639 fencers across 17 award categories. Organisers confirmed the prize money has also been doubled to HK$100,000.
Hong Kong Fencing Association chairman Wally Yeung Win-sun wants to ride the wave of the city’s impressive showing in Tokyo, be it the men’s foil or women’s épée teams.
“We hope to attract and encourage young fencers to participate and nurture potential fencing talent. [This tournament] is a key step in helping fencers to prepare for World Championship events and strive for success,” he said.
Though marquee names such as women’s epeeists Vivian Kong Man-wai and Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan are missing because of international competitions, the likes of Moonie Chu Ka-mong and Coco Lin Yik-hei will be looking to impress ahead of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
“I’m still in some pain but it’s getting better,” said Chu, 26, who featured in Tokyo but like Cheung pulled out of the National Games with an injury. “We’re itching to compete, and this Open is good because it’s been about two years since we’ve competed in a World Cup. This big competition format is a good warm-up.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve competed regularly. These events are usually not held in such big places, so I’m excited,” the 28-year-old 2018 Asian Games silver medallist said.
“I stopped for about two years so didn’t get many points for my [world and domestic] rankings, so I need to do my best and hopefully get back up there as soon as possible. I’ve competed twice this year, and I’m happy with how I’ve done so far.”
National team head coach Zheng Kangzhao, who will base his Asian Games delegation selection on all events until next May, said: “I expect them all to reach their respective levels. To show good performances, attitude, and a visible improvement towards the Asian Games. From the athletes’ perspective, it’s a good opportunity because nobody knows who is going to go – anyone who thinks their spot is sealed is lying.
“Everyone is training well and genuinely, and I think this will help them a lot. I really like having a competitive environment, both for athletes and coaches, because it’s good for the overall team.”
