Hong Kong Coaching Awards: Maurizio Zomparelli wins individual sport coach of the year
Italian rewarded for overseeing historic feat, shares top honour with Leung Suk-ying, who is recognised for para swimming success
Maurizio Zomparelli, the mastermind of Ryan Choi Chun-yin’s historic fencing world championships gold, was named individual sport coach of the year at the 2025 Hong Kong Coaching Awards on Saturday, sharing the top honour with Leung Suk-ying for her work in para swimming (intellectual disability).
Both winners were unable to attend the Hong Kong Sports Institute [HKSI] ceremony, with Zomparelli delivering his acceptance speech over video from overseas.
“No achievement is ever reached alone,” Zomparelli said. “Everything we accomplished is the result of teamwork, shared vision and the right commitment. Thank you to our athletes for their trust and for allowing us to be part of their journey.”
Under the Italian’s guidance, Choi climbed to the top of the world rankings last season after claiming his first individual title at the Shanghai Grand Prix. He surpassed that achievement by claiming the individual foil crown from the FIE Fencing World Championships in July, becoming the first fencing world champion from the city.
The 28-year-old also won last year’s Asian Championships.
Choi, who is targeting the Olympic gold in 2028 that he has said would “make my career complete”, will next compete in a Foil World Cup leg in Egypt from April 16, after it was delayed from this month because of the Middle East conflict.