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Ada Li

Defending fencing champion Jaelyn Liu called Hong Kong her “lucky place” ahead of her title defence on Saturday at the FIE Women’s Foil World Cup, while Daphne Chan Nok-sze is the city’s only representative to make it to the round of 64.
Since her triumph in Hong Kong a year ago, the 16-year-old American has established herself as one of the brightest rising stars in fencing.
Liu captured both the junior and cadet world titles in 2025, becoming the first and youngest American to win a world championship in foil. She has moved up the rankings from No 93 to No 13 within a year.
Still, Liu acknowledged she had a “rough” start to her 2026 season and she was trying to keep her expectations in check.
“I haven’t done well in the past two competitions, so I just want to go out there, fence my best and fight as I’ve never won anything before,” she said.
“I think that is part of learning. I want to slow down a bit and focus on improvement rather than just winning every tournament.
“My long-term goal is to become an Olympic champion, so I want to build my game step by step, especially my offence. I don’t want to rely on lucky 15-14 wins – I want to dominate the strip and show my skill level.”

Liu said she enjoys spending time in the city where she claimed her first World Cup title last year.
“I definitely believe Hong Kong is one of my lucky places,” Liu said. “Mostly because I did really well here last year – but I hope it’s not just luck. I find a lot of energy here; I know the people and I am comfortable with my surroundings. I want to use that to power up for tomorrow [Saturday].”
Liu will face China’s Zhang Siqi in the round of 64.
Out of the 198 entries, the top 16 fencers in the world earned byes into the round of 64, with the remaining competitors battling through pools and direct elimination bouts for the remaining slots.
For Hong Kong, Chan was the only one to advance. The world No 33 edged through qualification after winning four of her six pool bouts, a contrast to last year when she swept all six to gain direct entry.
Chan defeated teammate Wu Jiawei 15-4 in the round of 128, then overcame China’s Shi Yue to secure her spot in Saturday’s main draw.
Chan next faces Olympic silver medallist Lauren Scruggs of the United States.
The Hong Kong fencer declined post-match interviews, saying she preferred to “stay focused until after the competition concludes”.
Teammate Sophia Wu, who is ranked No 65 and reached the main draw last year, suffered a narrow 15-14 defeat to Japan’s Shiori Takezawa in the first round of elimination.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Kuan Yu-ching, Lorraine Wong, Fan Bo-yee and Valerie Cheng Hiu-wai exited in the round of 64.
The tournament attracted lots of world-class talent, including three-time Olympic champion and current world No 1 Lee Kiefer of the United States and world No 2 Martina Favaretto of Italy, both in action on Saturday.


Hong Kong foilist Cheung Ka-long finally gets on the podium with bronze at Turin Grand Prix

Hong Kong fencing coach Greg Koenig backs Cheung Ka-long to regain form after slow start

Hong Kong fencing star Ryan Choi welcomes ‘exciting and refreshing’ new generation

Hong Kong’s abundance of young fencing talent gives coach Greg Koenig optimism for future

Fencing

Women’s Foil World Cup: champion Liu keeping expectations in check, 1 city fencer competing

Defending fencing champion Jaelyn Liu called Hong Kong her “lucky place” ahead of her title defence on Saturday at the FIE Women’s Foil World Cup. Photo: Ada Li

Hong Kong’s Daphne Chan (right) is the city’s only representative at the FIE Women’s Foil World Cup. Photo: Edmond So

Wong pledges to close gap to leading players after spirited defeat in Hong Kong Tennis Open

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong hits a return to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti at Hong Kong Tennis Open. Photo: AFP

Coleman Wong puts away an overhead during his quarter-final exit. Photo: Elson Li

Lorenzo Musetti hits through a backhand on his way to downing Coleman Wong. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong’s men fall short in bid to reach 2027 World Lacrosse Championship

The best Hong Kong can do is finish fifth at the Asia-Pacific Championship. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong have already beaten China once this week. Photo: Handout

Sport

Other Sport

The 16-year-old American called Hong Kong her ‘lucky place’, while Daphne Chan Nok-sze is the city’s only representative in round of 64


The 16-year-old American called Hong Kong her ‘lucky place’, while Daphne Chan Nok-sze is the city’s only representative in round of 64.


Women’s Foil World Cup: champion Liu keeping expectations in check, 1 city fencer competing

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 16-year-old American called Hong Kong her ‘lucky place’, while Daphne Chan Nok-sze is the city’s only representative in round of 64

The 16-year-old American called Hong Kong her ‘lucky place’, while Daphne Chan Nok-sze is the city’s only representative in round of 64