Hong Kong Fencers Aim for Medal Sweep at National Games

Coach Greg Koenig’s Ambitious Goals for Hong Kong Fencing Team

Coach Greg Koenig, who is leading both the men’s and women’s foil teams, has set his sights high for the upcoming National Games. He is confident that his men’s squad can achieve a historic sweep of all four men’s foil medals—individual gold, silver, bronze, and team gold. Koenig believes this would be a perfect outcome for Hong Kong.

The city’s representation at Kai Tak Arena includes notable athletes such as Cheung Ka-long, a two-time Olympic champion and reigning world champion, Ryan Choi Chun-yin, and Leung Chin-yu, a rising star in the sport. Additionally, Lawrence Ng Lok-wang, who holds a career-best world ranking of No 37, will compete in the team event.

Koenig expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to perform well, citing previous successes such as winning a World Cup gold medal in Hong Kong in May 2024. “My expectation is a gold medal by the team,” he said.

Hong Kong has previously won individual bronze and silver, as well as two team bronzes at the National Games. Koenig envisions an all-Hong Kong final on November 16, which he hopes to witness firsthand after not attending the last Games in 2021 due to the pandemic.

Koenig also highlighted the advantage Hong Kong has over other provinces and cities, noting that mainland China has four top-100 foilists but they are split into different teams. This division, according to Koenig, could work in Hong Kong’s favor.

“China will have a team for Mo Ziwei and another for Guo Yifan, but it’s a good thing they are not all on the same team,” he explained. While the national team is always strong, the structure of the National Games allows for more provincial competition, which benefits Hong Kong.

Koenig emphasized the importance of Cheung Ka-long’s mental state after a two-month break from training and how Choi, ranked world No 1, will handle the pressure. However, time is still on their side. The team is currently in Japan for a training camp, having also hosted the France and Japan national teams for a previous training session.

The team will return home for two weeks before heading to Spain for the first World Cup of the new season. Final preparations will begin in Hong Kong after that tournament in Palma.

In the women’s events, Sophia Wu, Valerie Cheng Hiu-wai, Kuan Yu-ching, and Wu Jiawei will represent Hong Kong. Daphne Chan Nok-sze, an Asian Games bronze medallist, will not be participating due to academic commitments at Northwestern University in Illinois.

“We have fenced with Chan on the team for a long time, but we can only prepare the best we can now,” Koenig said. He noted that Wu just won the LCSD Open Fencing Championships, indicating she is in good shape. Cheng and Kuan are also in good form, while Wu Jiawei, though less experienced, has the potential to surprise.

In the women’s epee category, Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan is the city’s main gold medal hope. Ranked No 4 in the world, Hsieh has already won her first senior international title at the Doha Grand Prix and successfully defended her World University Games crown in Germany.

Chan Wai-ling and Moonie Chu Ka-mong will compete individually and as part of the team, while Wu Haidi is only signed up for the team event.

Despite her ranking, Hsieh faces stiff competition from China, which has up to seven epeeists within the top 100. Yu Sihan, Tang Junyao, and Yang Jingwen are ranked No 31, 33, and 34 respectively, with four more Chinese fencers between 57 and 87.

In the men’s epee event, former Asian champion Cedric Ho Wai-hang and runner-up Ng Ho-tin were among the four selected to represent Hong Kong. Fong Hoi-sun and Lau Ho-fung were also chosen. Ho, who qualified for the Paris Olympics, is still learning to work with new head coach Gauthier Grumier, who took over this summer.

In the men’s sabre category, Royce Chan Lok-hei, 21, returned to action this month after recovering from a stress fracture. He hopes to win a medal, with the team completed by 19-year-old Hugo Ho Pak-lam and veterans Aaron Ho Sze-long and Low Ho-tin.

Summer Fay Sit, Chu Wing-kiu, Laren Leung Lok-man, and Lau Yee-ching make up the Hong Kong women’s sabre squad.