Hong Kong fencer Nicholas Choi finishes third in Challenge Cup, exactly three years after he announced his retirement from sport
- The 2018 Asian Games silver medallist says he is a better fencer than before, as he challenges for a place at next year’s Hangzhou Games
- Olympic champion Edgar Cheung beats fellow teammate Ryan Choi in final 15-12
Hong Kong fencer Nicholas Choi believes he is better than three years ago when he announced he was quitting the sport, only to change his mind and return to the piste this year.
After coming out of retirement in April, the 28-year-old came third at a major local competition for the second week in a row, finishing behind winner Olympic gold medallist Cheung Ka-long and Ryan Choi Chun-yin.
Cheung beat fellow Olympian Ryan Choi 15-12 in the final of the Challenge Cup Championships at the Science Park in Pak Shek Kok on Sunday. Ryan Choi had earlier beaten Nicholas Choi in the semi-finals.
With selection for the 2022 Asian Games fast approaching, Choi and three others are competing for a spot in the four-member men’s foil squad for the event in Hangzhou.
“I think I’m pretty good, finishing third in two events in a row,” said Nicholas Choi, who won an individual silver at the 2018 Asian Games, the best performer of any Hong Kong fencer.
“Actually, it was a bit funny competing today, as it was exactly the same day when I announced my retirement three years ago.
“Life has changed a lot since then but I am happy I have made the decision to come back. We are now having a very strong foil team and training with these quality fencers day in and day out has also made a stronger athlete. In fact, I am pretty sure I am a better fencer than I won the Asian Games silver three years ago.”