Hong Kong fencing star Ryan Choi looking forward to pressure of competing at National Games
World No 1 says he has learned to handle success, failure the same way, and looks forward to chance of winning in front of family, friends
Reigning fencing world champion Ryan Choi Chun-yin said his biggest takeaway from his success in Georgia in July would become the fuel to help him overcome any future lows and setbacks.
Having won three straight competitions – the Shanghai Grand Prix, the Asian Championships in Bali and the World Championships in Tbilisi – in as many months since May, Choi also said there was “no difference in me” despite the title and ranking changes.
“I will not be afraid of the lows that I will have,” he said. “Of course, I’ll still feel bad if I hit the bottom again, but I’ll be all right because I have been through it a couple of times already.
“I overcame it once when I didn’t fence well at the Tokyo Olympic Games. I couldn’t even go to the Paris Games three years later. Those were heavy blows, but I managed to survive.
“I have more faith and confidence in myself. I shall remember that glorious moment, that I reached the world No 1 spot. I believe that will help me overcome any future challenges.”
Speaking to the Post ahead of his second National Games, Choi also said his successes of late on the strip and the rise in rankings changed nothing in him.