Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung becomes world No.1

Olympic champion Edgar Cheung Ka-long has ascended to world No.1 on Monday after competing in Foil World Cup in Serbia – the first Hong Kong foil fencer to get to the top spot. 

Over the weekend, Cheung lost to Italian fencer Giorgio Avola in quarterfinals of Men's Foil World Cup in Belgrade. 

However, the original world no. 1 Alessio Foconi fared worse – he lost in the first round of the competition. 

As International Fencing Federation updated the world ranking on Monday, Cheung ascended to the first spot. He was followed by Japan's Shikine Takahiro and Foconi. 

On Monday, Cheung also led the fifth-seeded Hong Kong men’s foil fencing team into the semifinals. But the team lost to France in the bronze medal match. 

Cheung attained the top status nine months after he won in Tokyo Olympics last summer, where Hong Kong athletes snatched a record six medals – one gold, two silver and three bronze. 

Local epeeist Vivian Kong Man-wai was the first Hong Kong athlete to become world no. 1 back in 2019. 

Fencing head coach Zheng Kangzhao said Cheung's win proves the ability of Hong Kong athletes.

At the age of 24, Cheung still has room for improvement, Zheng said. He hoped the fencer can deliver a more stable performance in future matches.