He faced a tough challenge from China’s Wu Bin in the semi-finals, finding himself 11-7 behind at one stage before fighting back to progress 15-13. But the relatively unknown Mo, who had upset Choi 15-14 in the last four, proved no contest for Cheung.

“I fenced quite well and am satisfied with my performance,” Cheung said. “The hardest one was the semi-final – fortunately I dealt with it when I was behind.”

Choi had also swept through his pool, winning all five matches before coming unstuck against Mo.

The medal for Choi nonetheless gave Hong Kong a second bronze as the team close in on their best previous performance in the regional event – two gold, two silver and five bronzes in Bangkok in 2018.

The gold was Cheung’s fifth Asian Championships medal, following a bronze in 2015, his first title in 2016, and silvers in 2017 and 2019. The most decorated fencer in Seoul, he reiterated his status as the man to beat at the World Championships in Cairo next month.

“The Asian title as well as his top ranking have certainly boosted Ka-long’s confidence for the worlds,” said head coach Zheng Kangzhao. “I hope he forgets about all his medals – they’re all past tense. Just take one competition at a time and the results will speak for themselves.”

Meanwhile, Chu Wing-kiu was one step away from the podium in the women’s sabre, as she was defeated 15-8 by eventual winner Choi Sooyeon of Korea in their quarter-final.

Sunday marked the conclusion of the individual events, but Cheung and world No 10 Choi have another assignment, in the shape of the team event on Wednesday.

The team events will also see the Hong Kong women’s individual épée medallists return to action. Spearheaded by Vivian Kong Man-wai and Natalie Chan Wai-ling, who won gold and bronze respectively on Friday, they will start their team medal hunt on Monday.

“We will aim for gold,” Chan said after winning her first Asian Championships medal. “The Hong Kong team won bronze last time [in 2019], so I hope we can have a different colour.”

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Hong Kong, who are seeded third, receive a bye to the quarter-finals, and include three squad members who picked up silver in 2018, in Coco Lin Yik-hei and Monnie Chu Ka-mong as well as Kong.

“It is not an easy task – South Korea [seeded first], China [second] and Japan [fourth] are powerful,” Zheng said. “I can only say our team have a chance to win a medal, but it is not a sure thing. They must fight their hardest.”

Hongkongers Chan Cheuk-him, Low Ho-tin, Aaron Ho Sze-long and Cyrus Chang Chi-hin missed out on individual sabre medals but will compete in the men’s team event on Monday. They will face New Zealand in the first round.