Cheung’s Hong Kong settle for ‘disappointing’ Asian Games team foil bronze

Three days after taking top spot in the men’s individual foil, Cheung Ka-long was in action again for Hong Kong at the 2023 Asian Games – but the fencing hero could not lead his team past Wednesday’s semi-finals.

In a rematch of the 2018 foil team final, Hong Kong – who took silver in Jakarta – trailed familiar foes South Korea from the start at the Hangzhou Dianzi University Gymnasium before going down 45-37, and had to settle for the bronze.

“It’s a pity because we targeted the gold,” Cheung said. “We felt disappointed for sure but we believe we can win next time when it matters during the Olympic qualification period.”

Ryan Choi Chun-yin, who was outscored in two of his three relays, admitted Hong Kong need to think about how to respond when playing against the top Asian countries.

“Technically, we could be overpowered by China, Japan and Korea at times,” he added. “We didn’t have such feelings a few years back but perhaps because we had beaten them, they had been studying us.

“This is something we have to figure out and we also need to address our slow start.”

After getting off on the wrong foot, the city’s quartet were constrained on the chasing end for the rest of the match and trailed by as many as 10 points.

In nine relays, Hong Kong – who defeated Singapore 45-34 in the quarterfinals – managed to win only three while losing five others.

Head coach Gregory Koenig said he was “disappointed” with the results and admitted his team was “a bit off” on the piste.

“We could do better but we didn’t,” the 45-year-old Frenchman said. “This is sport but we will come back stronger.

“We knew what we had to do against them. They were able to change sometimes the way of doing it, and sometimes we were not able to.

“But we will be open-minded to understand that we can do exactly the same, we will discuss and find solutions.”

Yeung Chi-ka, who featured in three relays over two matches, added that the team will make the most of the “disappointing” loss.

“There are no Olympic qualification points in this so it’s a good opportunity to sort out our shortcomings,” the Asian Championships bronze medallist said.

“We believe we can get one back when it comes to Olympic qualification. Anyone can win or lose so we’ll focus on the next time.”

The city’s men’s foil team had finished their tournaments in Hangzhou, capturing one gold and two bronzes in individual and team events.

Hong Kong’s fencing team have amassed six medals – with Ho Wai-hang, Vivian Kong Man-wai and Daphne Chan Nok-sze taking individual bronze in their respective events – at the Games to date.