Hong Kong fencing coach eyes global team success after ‘hits and misses’ at National Games
Zheng Kangzhou looking for strength in numbers after individual glory for likes of Olympic champion Cheung Ka-long and world No 1 Ryan Choi
The man tasked with ensuring Hong Kong’s fencers continue to deliver on the world stage for years to come said he was satisfied with the overall results despite some “hits and misses” at the National Games.
Speaking to the Post on Thursday, Zheng Kangzhou, the city’s head coach, laid out his next targets a day after the city’s men pocketed foil team gold at Kai Tak Arena, completing the full set with the long-coveted piece.
With the men’s épée and women’s foil teams both denied in the quarter-finals during the last day of competition, Hong Kong’s fencers ended the Games with one gold, one silver and two bronze.
“Whether in numbers or colours, the medals we got this time were better than the previous Games; we never won gold or had more than three medals before,” Zheng said. “We have four this time, including one gold, so it’s top notch result both in quality and quantity. I was very satisfied with the overall performance of the athletes.
“The atmosphere here was marvellous too; it’s a very grand competition. The venue set-up, the flow of the event, the arrangements and the performances in between were very creative and innovative.”
Despite two-time Olympic champion Cheung Ka-long and world No 1 Ryan Choi Chun-yin coming up short in their individual contests, the city’s head coach said it felt “more complete” with all three weapon categories – foil, épée and sabre – winning medals this week.