World Fencing Championships: Cheung Ka-long powers Hong Kong men’s foil team into quarter-finals
- Cheung scores 10 points in a row in last round to secure 45-40 victory over China before Hong Kong brush Austria aside
- They now face a daunting task against defending champions the United States as they look to seal a place in the last four
Hong Kong moved a step closer to their first ever team medal and third overall at the 2022 World Championships after reaching the men’s foil quarter finals in Cairo on Friday.
Successive wins over China and Austria set up a daunting task against the United States, where a victory in the last eight could give them a real chance of making the podium.
They have top fencer Cheung Ka-long to thank, with the Olympic champion saving them from the brink of defeat against China. He scored 10 points in a row in the ninth and last round when Hong Kong were trailing 35-40.
Nicholas Choi – who was preferred to Yeung Chi-ka in the team event – and Lawrence Ng Lok-wang both struggled against their opponents from across the border, leaving Cheung a massive task to turn the tables in the decider.
“He [Cheung] has the quality as we all know and today he proved it again,” said head coach Zheng Kangzhao.
“Choi and Ng found it a bit difficult against the mainlanders as they all know each other too well. They must show improvement against the Americans as we cannot afford another lacklustre performance in the quarter-finals.”
Thanks to Cheung, who clinched a bronze medal in the individual event, Hong Kong beat China 45-40, and followed that up with a 45-34 victory over Austria to book their spot in the quarter-finals.