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Stephy Zhang

Cheung Ka-long hit back at his online critics after he claimed bronze from the Foil Grand Prix in Peru on Monday.
Currently down at world No 9 after a fallow period following his 2024 Olympic gold, Cheung has now claimed consecutive podium finishes following his third place at last month’s grand prix in Italy.
He won an all-Hong Kong battle with Ryan Choi Chun-yin in his Lima quarter-final, before going down 15-3 to Kirill Borodachev in the last four.
After recently incurring the wrath of some social media commentators, Cheung said: “The outside world cannot fully understand the profession of an athlete.
“The most important thing is knowing which path to take and being open to trying different methods.”
Also the Olympic champion in Tokyo in 2021, Cheung cruised through his opening two rounds, thumping Sidarth Kumbla of the US and Mexico’s Diego Cervantes 15-2 and 15-3, respectively, before he held his nerve to overcome Frenchman Maxime Pauty 15-14. He withstood a fightback from Choi, who recovered from 11-6 down to 13-13, to beat his friend and compatriot 15-13.

Borodachev, beaten by Choi in last year’s World Championships final, was too strong in the semi-finals, although the Russian lost 15-12 to Guillaume Bianchi, the No 1 seed, in the gold-medal contest.
Although he acknowledged he was still short of top form, Cheung said: “I’m competing more smoothly than before. Although the overall handling of the [semi-final] bout wasn’t great, I seem to have discovered something new.”
Reflecting on his difficult period, he said that he had to “endure” and “keep my ears open” to absorb advice.
“Life is about moving forwards actively to find answers,” Cheung said. “I don’t feel I have reached the end. If I pick up the foil and continue to work hard, the answer will appear”.
There was more positive news for Hong Kong in the shape of 17-year-old Harris Ho Shing-him advancing to the quarter-finals, where he gave world No 2 Bianchi a scare before losing 15-13. In the last-16, Ho shocked 2023 world champion Tommaso Marini, the world No 8, 15-14.
“A great day for Hong Kong with the bronze medal from Cheung Ka-long, a top-8 finish for Ryan Choi, and an outstanding top-8 for Harris,” wrote Greg Koenig, the head coach, on a social media post he captioned “proud of all of you”.
Choi, the world No 1, began with a walkover in the opening round after scheduled opponent Leopoldo Alarcon withdrew injured. He dispatched Italians Davide Filippi and Tommaso Martini 15-4 and 15-13, respectively, before running into the determined Cheung.
Lam Ho-long and Lawrence Ng Lok-wang were eliminated in the opening round, while Leung Chin-yu went one stage further.
On the women’s side, Daphne Chan Nok-sze and Valerie Cheng Hiu-wai reached the second round.
Global governing body, The FIE, resumed competition last week after suspending four international events earlier this month because of the Middle East conflict.
The Hong Kong foilists are likely to next compete in a rearranged World Cup leg in Cairo from April 16.


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Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka-long dismisses online critics after claiming bronze in Peru

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

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Jim Wong toasts his strike after putting Supreme 2-0 up against Kwun Tong. Photo: Sam Tsang

Jim Wong goes on the attack during Supreme’s victory over Kwun Tong. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Hong Kong

Two-time Olympic champion pips fellow Hongkonger Ryan Choi in quarter-final, as 18-year old Harris Ho also reaches last eight


Two-time Olympic champion pips fellow Hongkonger Ryan Choi in quarter-final, as 18-year old Harris Ho also reaches last eight.


Cheung Ka-long

Ryan Choi Chun-yin

Kirill Borodachev

Greg Koenig

Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka-long dismisses online critics after claiming bronze in Peru

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Two-time Olympic champion pips fellow Hongkonger Ryan Choi in quarter-final, as 18-year old Harris Ho also reaches last eight

Two-time Olympic champion pips fellow Hongkonger Ryan Choi in quarter-final, as 18-year old Harris Ho also reaches last eight