Hong Kong's superstar fencer Edgar Cheung on Sunday fought his way into the semi-finals of the men's individual foil event at the National Games.

He defeated Wu Bin from Shanghai 15-12 in the final eight, to the delight of a cheering home crowd at Kai Tak Arena.

Cheung trailed 3-5 at the start of the bout, but the two-time reigning Olympic gold medallist tied the score at six before taking control.

Wu made it interesting by crawling back to 13-12, but Cheung didn't let up from then on.

Cheung will face Fujian's Xu Jie in the final four at 6pm on Sunday, after Xu defeated Hong Kong's Ryan Choi, 15 to 9.

Choi, who's the reigning world champion, said he wasn't too upset by the loss, saying he'll be able to learn from the experience.

"I find the loss somewhat acceptable still. This was the most painful competition that I prepared for in the past two years. We flew back from Spain, so I had jetlag. I kept coughing and slept for only three hours coming in," Choi told RTHK.

"But I'm very proud of myself. I woke up and found a way to enjoy the bouts. I think that's the most important thing."

Choi thanked his family and friends as well as supporters who were there through thick and thin.

He said he's very happy to hear the cheers, but didn't want to interact too much during the bout, saying he was the type of athlete that could easily lose focus.

But Choi said he would meet the fans and sign some autographs, and hopefully can repay their support with some actual results next time.

In the women's sabre bracket, fencers Chu Wing-kiu and Laren Leung were both eliminated in the round of 16.

Chu, who lost 6-15 to Tang Enlan of Beijing, said she was disappointed she could not progress further.

"Although the outcome was not what I had expected, I was delighted when I was competing because of all the support," she told reporters after her bout.

"I haven't been playing particularly well this year, and I have doubted myself a bit. But I felt like I have rediscovered my passion."

For teammate Leung, she lost 8-15 at the hands of Hubei's Rao Xueyi.

"I did not set any goals for myself before the competition. I just wanted to do my best and be confident," she said.