Hong Kong fencers eye best ever haul as Cheung Ka-long targets Asian title

Olympic champion and world No 1 goes for gold in individual foil in Seoul along with world No 10 Ryan Choi

City’s team already have a gold, thanks to Vivian Kong in the épée, and could beat their best result in the regional championships

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Cheung Ka-long is the most decorated foilist in the event in Seoul. Photo: FIE

Published: 9:00am, 12 Jun 2022

Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long will on Sunday aim to add another Asian Championship gold to his Olympic title and world No 1 status – and put the city on course for its best haul at the regional event.

The foil specialist turned 25 on Friday, and will hope to celebrate by bagging the Hong Kong team’s second gold of the championships in Seoul.

It would also be Cheung’s second Asian title after he won gold in the same event – the men’s individual foil – in 2016.

“All team members, including the men’s foilists, are in good shape, and had a fantastic training session this morning,” said Hong Kong team manager Lam Hin-chung on Saturday.

Vivian Kong is back in the top 10 after clinching gold in Seoul. Photo: FIE

The regional championships are back on the schedule this year after a two-year hiatus because of Covid-19, and the Hong Kong contingent are aiming to better their results at the 2018 edition, when they won two gold, two silver and five bronze medals in Bangkok.

Vivian Kong Man-wai took Hong Kong’s first gold of this year’s championships on Friday, in the women’s individual épée, with Natalie Chan Wai-ling adding the bronze.