Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law has praised the men's foil team for their exceptional performance at the World Championships on home soil, a result that has propelled Hong Kong, China to a historic world number two ranking.

Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme on Saturday, she reflected on the dramatic final on Tuesday, when the team fell just one touch short of gold against world number one Italy.

Despite the narrow loss, Law emphasised the significance of a result that lifts the SAR from third to second in the global standings - trailing only the Italians.

She said the squad - comprised of Edgar Cheung, Ryan Choi, Harris Ho, and Leung Chin-yu - delivered a composed and gritty performance throughout the tournament.

Law noted that the demanding schedule tested the athletes' mental, physical, and psychological limits, making their resilience all the more admirable.

"Ryan held his nerve as the anchor leg and managed to get us through. As I said [before] ... Cheung is like a calming pill - he truly serves as an anchor for the team. Ryan is an aggressive, attacking athlete," she said.

"I'm also very happy to see Harris, who's only 17 ... with two senior veterans backing him up, Harris was really able to play without any pressure."

Expressing her deep admiration for the team's fighting spirit, Law revealed that the athletes have already told her they are capable of an even stronger performance in the future.

Looking ahead, she underscored the long-term significance of the result, particularly for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"If they are able to maintain their good results of being in the top four in 2027 ... by the time we get to the 2028 Olympic Games, everyone will get to see our men's foil team competing there," Law said, adding that it would also secure more quota spots for the individual event.

Law also noted strong performances from Hong Kong's sabre and epee squads at the World Championships, which have boosted overall team morale.

Most encouragingly, she said, the clear emergence of a new generation of fencers is a promising sign for the sport's future in the city.




Edited by Azam Khan