Fencing reaping just rewards

Stacy Shi

Hong Kong fencing has entered a "harvest period" with a robust foundation laid for over a decade, and the two Hong Kong fencers snatching gold medals in the Paris Olympics is not an "overnight" achievement, the head fencing coach of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, Zheng Zhaokang, said.

Zheng took over as the head fencing coach in 2011 and implemented a series of measures to reform the fencing team, including formulating regulations, training requirements and plans, specifying the selection system, and strengthening the coaching team.

"We have recruited world-class coaches from all over the world to lead our athletes and generate qualitative changes," he said.

Zheng said Vivian Kong Man-wai and Edgar Cheung Ka-long are talented and have all the qualities to become top athletes, especially since they are more mature this year to compete consistently.

Zheng also said fencing has become a popular sport in Hong Kong, with over 40 fencing associations registered under the Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China since Cheung topped the men's foil event at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo.

With a large number of people joining the sport and systematic training, Zheng is looking forward to nurturing more fencing stars.

"We have put efforts into training and constructing the talent pipeline for many years, so I believe that in time, there will be more stars like Kong and Cheung, and the fencing team will also grow," he said.

Zheng also disclosed that the government is studying several options for designing a fencing area, including building a new venue or converting existing ones.

Meanwhile, Kong on Tuesday appeared at the Champions Park - at the foot of the Eiffel Tower - for a celebration parade along with other Olympic medalists. It is understood she will return to Hong Kong today.

In addition, the result of Cheung winning the gold medal in the men's foil event will not be overturned, as the Italian Fencing Federation's appeal that referees and fencers should not originate from neighboring areas is not included in the fencing regulations, former Hong Kong fencer Firen Liu Yan-wai said. The referee of the match was Huang Hao-chich of Chinese Taipei.

Liu added that the Federation Internationale d'Escrime (International Fencing Federation) has strict rules on the selection of referees, who are assigned by lottery and will only know which matches they will be refereeing shortly before the game starts.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com