Fencing World Cup: Cheung Ka-long suffers earliest exit of series as Hongkongers crash out in Paris
- World No 4 Cheung loses to world No 20 Guillaume Bianchi as Italians sweep the podium places
- Hong Kong contingent all beaten early in latest leg of World Cup series
Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long suffered a premature exit at the World Cup in Paris on Saturday, crashing out in the round of 16 to record his earliest finish in three appearances this season.
Olympic champion Cheung and teammate Ryan Choi Chun-yin had received a bye to start in the main draw of the foil, whereas 10 other teammates had to fight for a spot in the round of 64 from the pool stage.
Ranked No 4 in the world, Cheung was not tested as he eased past Joseph Glasson of Australia 15-7 in the opening round, before dumping host fencer Julien Mertine, who ranks 36 places below, 15-9 in the next round to reach the last 16.
Up next for the left-hander was Italian fencer Guillaume Bianchi, with whom Cheung enjoyed a slightly better record in three career head-to-head meetings.
It was not to be for the Olympic champion, however, at the Stade Coubertin, as the world No 20 Bianchi stormed to a 5-0 lead. Cheung recovered to trail 7-5, only for the Italian to snatch the next three points to restore the five-point lead.