Hong Kong fencer Ryan Choi Chun yin came within two touches of Asian Games gold on Tuesday night, fighting back from a five point deficit before Japan’s Kazuki Iimura recovered to win the men’s individual foil final 15 13 at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname.
The silver marked the first time Choi had reached an individual Asian Games final. It also capped a demanding day for Hong Kong fencing, which produced one medal while defending champion Cheung Ka long was eliminated earlier in the competition.
Choi fights back from five points down
Choi entered the final as the world No. 7, facing world No. 5 Iimura in front of a strong Japanese crowd.
The Japanese fencer made the quicker start. Iimura established a four point advantage before Choi settled into the contest and began reducing the gap.
The pressure increased when Iimura produced another run and moved five points clear midway through the bout. Choi did not allow the deficit to determine the outcome.
The Hong Kong left hander changed the rhythm of the contest, finding openings and forcing Iimura into longer exchanges. Point by point, Choi dragged himself back into contention.
At 12 10, the momentum had shifted.
Choi then continued his recovery and moved ahead 13 12, putting himself within two touches of the Asian Games title.
For a brief period, the final appeared to be turning in Hong Kong’s favour.
Iimura responded immediately. The Japanese fencer regained his composure during the decisive exchanges, scoring the final three touches to close out the bout 15 13.
Choi finished with silver after one of the closest fights of the day.
First Asian Games final for Choi
The result represented another step forward for Choi at the Asian Games.
He had won an individual bronze medal at the previous edition in Hangzhou. This time, he went further, reaching the gold medal match after progressing through both the pool stage and knockout rounds.
His campaign began with five straight victories in the group stage.
That unbeaten run gave Choi a strong platform for the elimination rounds. He then overcame opponents from Kazakhstan and Singapore to move deeper into the draw.
The semi final brought another difficult test against South Korea’s Yoon Jung hyun.
Choi held his nerve in another close encounter, winning 15 13 to secure his place in the final and guarantee Hong Kong a medal.
The narrow margin of victory in the semi final was followed by an equally tight gold medal bout. Across the two matches, Choi showed his ability to remain competitive when the score was close and the pressure was highest.
Although the final ended with silver rather than gold, the medal adds another individual Asian Games podium finish to his record.
Iimura holds off late Hong Kong surge
Iimura entered the final with the advantage of competing on home soil and had already shown his form earlier in the tournament.
The Japanese fencer, ranked fifth in the world, had also recently won a bronze medal at the World Fencing Championships.
Against Choi, he used his attacking style to establish an early lead and repeatedly prevented the Hong Kong fencer from taking control of the bout.
Choi's strongest period came after Iimura had opened a five point cushion. Rather than attempting to force the action immediately, Choi gradually worked his way back into the match.
His comeback changed the atmosphere inside the venue.
When Choi reached 13 12, the contest had become a one touch battle. Iimura responded with the composure needed at the decisive moment and finished the final without allowing Choi another opportunity to regain the lead.
The 15 13 result gave Iimura the gold medal and left Choi with silver.
Cheung Ka long exits in round of 32
Earlier in the day, Hong Kong suffered a major setback when reigning Olympic champion and defending Asian Games individual champion Cheung Ka long was eliminated in the round of 32.
Cheung faced Uzbekistan’s Daniil Kravtsov in a rematch of their earlier pool stage meeting.
The two fencers remained closely matched at the beginning of the knockout bout, exchanging touches until the score reached 5 5.
Kravtsov then created a narrow advantage.
Cheung responded with the experience that has made him one of Hong Kong’s most accomplished fencers, pulling the score back to 11 11 and putting the contest on another knife edge.
The Uzbek fencer, however, regained control in the closing stages.
Kravtsov reached match point before completing the upset with a decisive attacking move, winning 15 13 and ending Cheung’s attempt to defend his Asian Games title.
The result meant Cheung’s individual campaign ended far earlier than expected, while Choi carried Hong Kong’s hopes into the later rounds.
Silver brings HK$500,000 reward
Choi’s silver medal also comes with a financial award under the Hong Kong Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme.
The programme provides cash rewards for Hong Kong athletes who win medals at the 20th Asian Games. Individual medalists receive HK$1 million for gold, HK$500,000 for silver and HK$250,000 for bronze.
Team events carry separate awards, with HK$2 million awarded for gold, HK$1 million for silver and HK$500,000 for bronze.
Choi’s result therefore earns him HK$500,000 under the scheme.
The latest medal also contributes to the overall incentives awarded to Hong Kong athletes at the Games, with the total reaching HK$7.25 million according to the figures provided for the event.
A medal secured after a day of contrasting results
Hong Kong’s day in the foil competition produced two very different stories.
Cheung, the Olympic champion and defending Asian Games gold medalist, was unable to progress beyond the round of 32 after his 15 13 defeat by Kravtsov.
Choi, meanwhile, kept advancing through increasingly difficult rounds before reaching the final for the first time in his Asian Games career.
He ultimately came up short against Iimura, but not before turning a five point deficit into a one touch lead.
That comeback made the final one of the day's most closely contested bouts and gave Hong Kong another individual fencing medal.
With Choi now adding Asian Games silver to his previous bronze, his next challenge will be to build on the performance and convert another deep tournament run into gold.
Can Choi turn this breakthrough final appearance into an Asian Games title at the next opportunity?