At just 27 years old, Hong Kong fencing representative Ryan Choi has made history by winning the men’s individual foil event at the 2025 World Fencing Championships, defeating Russian competitor Kirill Borodachev 15-9. This victory marks Ryan as the first world champion from Hong Kong, adding an exciting chapter to the city’s fencing legacy! Over the past two months, Ryan also clinched gold at both the Shanghai Grand Prix and the Asian Championships, launching his world ranking from 12th to an impressive 1st place, achieving the dual glory of World Champion and the world’s first!
In the finals, Cai Junyan fell behind briefly at the start with a score of 3:4, but he quickly adjusted his rhythm, clinching 5 points in a row to take the lead at 8:4, solidifying his advantage. By the end of the first quarter, he was ahead 11:8. In the second quarter, Cai Junyan maintained his momentum, consistently breaking through his opponent’s defenses while also solidifying his attacks, ultimately sealing the win at 15:9. This victory marks his first gold medal at a world championship in his professional career.
Reflecting on Ryan’s Journey
Ryan’s fencing journey began at the age of nine when he was introduced to foil under his mother’s guidance. Initially, he was resistant to the sport, even considering fencing Dangerous yet dull. However, during his first fencing class at La Salle Primary School, he was captivated by the sport’s dynamic nature and strategic elements, marking the start of his fencing path.
After enrolling at La Salle College, Choi Chun-yan joined the school team, training and battling alongside his teammates in inter-school competitions. In his second year, he represented the school for the first time in these competitions, facing strong opponents like St. Paul’s College. Though the pressure was immense, he learned how to adapt in the moment and embraced team spirit. The culture of the school team Brotherhood Class became a driving force for his perseverance, along with guidance from experienced coaches, laying a solid foundation for his future.
As a student athlete, Ryan has faced the dual pressures of academics and training. He admits that in order to focus on fencing, he often sacrificed his study time, which affected his grades for a while. In his sixth form year, he boldly took a six-month leave from the Hong Kong Sports Institute to fully prepare for the DSE diploma exam, ultimately gaining admission to the accounting program at the University of Hong Kong. However, during his second year of university, he realized that the golden period of his athletic career was fleeting and decided to pause his studies to fully commit to professional training. This decision marked a turning point in his career.
Cai Junyan’s career hasn’t been a smooth ride. In 2022, he soared to a world ranking of 6, but soon fell into a slump, even doubting whether he could achieve The First Dream. It wasn’t until this year, when his dream finally came true, that Ryan exclaimed after winning the World Championships: After experiencing a setback, the championships at the Shanghai Grand Prix and the Asian Championship reignited my passion for pursuing my goals..
Cai Junyan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his friends and family who have supported him throughout his journey, including his college roommate and popular boy band MIRROR member Edan. He humorously remarked that this warm friendship between the sports world and the entertainment industry has turned into a beloved tale among the people of Hong Kong.
