Hong Kong’s Ryan Choi Chun-yin etched his name in fencing history Wednesday Georgian time, capturing the city’s first-ever gold at the 2025 FIE Senior Fencing World Championships with a triumphant 15-9 victory over Russia’s Kirill Borodachev in the men’s foil final.
Choi’s victory capped a meteoric three-month streak that has cemented his status as the sport’s newest superstar.
Choi is now the third Hong Kong fencer to reach the World Championship podium, joining bronze medalists Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong.
After a slight early deficit, Choi staged a comeback to overcome Borodachev, securing his third gold medal in three months — following victories at the Shanghai Foil Grand Prix in May and the Asian Fencing Championships in June.
“When I first started fencing, I never imagined I could win three consecutive international tournaments,” Choi said in a post-final interview in Tbilisi, Georgia.
“It feels unreal. Winning the world title has always been my dream, and it might even lift me to world No 1.”
He added that he hopes the victory will inspire a new generation of Hong Kong athletes ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
Choi advanced to the final after defeating Hungary’s Gergo Szemes 15-11 in the semifinals.
READ MORE: HK fencing team clinches gold at FIE Foil World Cup
Choi’s opponent, Borodachev, had previously beaten him twice, including at the 2020 Turin Grand Prix. However, Choi turned the tables in the final, overcoming an early deficit to lead 11-8 after two periods before sealing the win.
The championships, running from July 22 to 30, feature over 1,034 athletes from more than 111 countries and regions.
In an early-morning statement on Thursday, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui congratulated Choi, praising his “outstanding performance and resilient spirit” as a testament to Hong Kong’s athletic excellence.
She expressed hope that the city’s fencing team can continue their success at 15th National Games in November — the first multisport event to be co-hosted by a Chinese mainland province, Guangdong, and the two special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macao.
Fencing competitions are among 37 events across eight sports to be held in the city during the Games.
Huang Yawen contributed to the story.
