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Paul McNamara

Ryan Choi Chun-yin is set to be at the vanguard of a Drive to Survive-style initiative aimed at placing fencing “on the global stage all year round”.
The World Fencing League (WFL), brainchild of 2016 Olympic team foil bronze medallist Miles Chamley-Watson, will stage its inaugural event in Los Angeles next month.
One of 12 elite athletes invited to compete, Choi believes the pioneering competition is “a huge step forward for the sport, because we’re going beyond just fencing”.
“It’s something completely different, and will potentially change the fencing scene,” reigning foil world champion Choi said.
The event on April 25 will feature mixed-gender teams, from across all three fencing disciplines – épée, foil and sabre – competing in timed bouts. Tracking and visualisation technology will be employed to enhance the viewer experience.
“Ryan’s one of the best in the world and a genuine star, and we’re very excited to have him join the WFL,” Chamley-Watson told the South China Morning Post.
“Having him compete in our debut event sends a clear signal about the level we’re operating at.”

Last year, the French 2020 Olympic team foil champion, Enzo Lefort, told the SCMP that his earnings from fencing alone were not enough to sustain a living.
Still an active competitor, the 36-year-old Chamley-Watson said that “meaningful prize money and commercial opportunities” were “foundational to our model, not an afterthought”.
“Elite fencers currently sacrifice enormously for their sport with very little financial return,” Chamley-Watson said.
Envisioning a global circuit with multiple events across key cities, Chamley-Watson, the 2013 individual world champion, said he was aiming to make fencing “appointment viewing”, not something people tune in to once every four years.
“The WFL exists to change [watching habits] by bringing together the best in the world in a format that’s exciting, accessible and built for a global audience,” he said.
“The athleticism, strategy and speed in fencing are extraordinary; it’s one of the most demanding sports in the world. The athletes deserve recognition on par with any other elite sport, and audiences deserve the chance to discover fencing.”
Currently, the global circuit features sparsely covered World Cup and Grand Prix legs, while the sport stages an annual World Championships and various continental championships.
As he brought his vision to life, Chamley-Watson “looked closely at what Formula 1 did with Drive to Survive”, the hit fly-on-the-wall documentary that prompted a surge in popularity for a formerly ailing sport.

“Fans don’t just support a sport, they support people,” he said. “We’re investing heavily in storytelling around our athletes’ backgrounds, rivalries and journeys, so that even a first-time viewer walks away with a favourite.”
The WFL has signed a strategic partnership agreement with US fencing, while Chamley-Watson said the venture had the support of world governing body, the FIE, because “we’re looking to grow the sport globally from grass roots to the Olympics”.
“We all share the same mindset that fencing should be on a global stage all year round,” he said.
Although the first WFL will be staged in the Shrine Auditorium and Exhibition Hall, and not the LA Convention Centre that will host the 2028 Games’ competition, Choi said his visit was “a first test for the Olympics”.
“It’s my main goal and I want to be back to compete at my best,” he said.
Chamley-Watson, who was born in the United Kingdom but represents the US, to which he moved aged nine, said that “with the LA Olympics on the horizon there is no better place to announce fencing’s arrival on the world stage”.
“LA is one of the sports and entertainment capitals of the world, and it’s my hometown,” he said.
“I believe that anyone who watches will immediately understand why fencing deserves this moment. This is just the beginning. We want to grow the fan base, the athlete pool, and the commercial ecosystem around the sport. We’re building something with a long runway.”


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Fencing

Ryan Choi is poised to compete in the inaugural World Fencing League in Los Angeles next month. Photo: Elson Li

The World Fencing League is the brainchild of US foilist Miles Chamley-Watson. Photo: Handout

Max Verstappen (left) and Gabriel Bortoleto have seen their sport’s popularity surge because of Netflix documentary Drive to Survive. Photo: Reuters

Cheung Ka-long (right) commiserates with Ryan Choi after narrowly beating his fellow Hongkonger in Peru. Photo: Handout

Ryan Choi (left) and Cheung Ka-long (right) battle for a semi-final spot in Lima. Photo: Handout

Ryan Choi became Hong Kong’s first fencing world champion at the FIE Fencing World Championships in Tbilisi last year. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong fencing head coach Zheng Kangzhao is taking the rest of the year step by step. Photo: Elson Li

Teenager Harris Ho enjoyed a breakthrough first year of senior competition. Photo: FIE

Sport

Hong Kong

‘Genuine superstar’ among 12 athletes who will compete in inaugural World Fencing League in Los Angeles next month


‘Genuine superstar’ among 12 athletes who will compete in inaugural World Fencing League in Los Angeles next month.


Ryan Choi Chun-yin

Enzo Lefort

Hong Kong world champion Ryan Choi set to be part of ‘huge step forward’ for fencing

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Genuine superstar’ among 12 athletes who will compete in inaugural World Fencing League in Los Angeles next month

‘Genuine superstar’ among 12 athletes who will compete in inaugural World Fencing League in Los Angeles next month