Hong Kong claim foil team gold at Paris World Cup, with young guns leading way
Lam Ho-long and Cheng Tit-nam do more than make up the numbers alongside world champion Ryan Choi and Olympic gold medallist Cheung Ka-long
Ryan Choi Chun-yin added team gold to his individual silver at the Foil World Cup stop in Paris, as Hong Kong got their 2026 off to a flying start on Sunday.
A 45-38 victory over the United States, ranked second in the world, in the final completed a day when the city’s men swept aside all before them.
“I’m extremely happy to have won this gold medal with the team; we have such a strong team to begin the season with,” said Choi, who remained at the top of the latest world rankings, which were announced today.
“I wish to keep this momentum going forward, and thank you to everyone that supported us on the podium and at home!”
Qatar presented little opposition when Hong Kong, ranked seventh, finally took to the piste after a first-round bye, with Choi, Cheung Ka-long and a pair of young foilists in Lam Ho-long and Cheng Tit-nam picked for the job at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin.
Poland and a team of Russian fencers competing without a flag were next to fail to stop the Hong Kong quartet.
Japan, the top Asian team ranked three places higher, also suffered. Trailing by 17 points heading into the penultimate round of the semi-final, they ultimately lost 45-32 despite having a team all ranked inside the top 30.