Ryan Choi aims for Olympic medal after fencing success
Ryan Choi defeated Russia's Kirill Borodachev in the men's foil final in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo courtesy of the Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China.
Achieving his dream of becoming the world's top-ranked fencer as a full-time athlete, Ryan Choi has now set a new goal of medalling at the Olympics, or once again at the World Championships.
The 27-year-old has made history for Hong Kong, China, clinching its first-ever Fencing World Championships gold.
Choi defeated Russia's Kirill Borodachev 15-9 in the men's foil final in Tbilisi, Georgia, an experience he described as a career milestone.
"It feels so surreal because I haven't lost a match in the past three consecutive competitions. Honestly, when I first started fencing, I never thought I'd be able to achieve this," Choi said in a video posted on social media by the Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China.
"After I won first place at the Shanghai Grand Prix, and then followed by a first-place win at the Asian Championships, I already felt like I could retire."
"So I'm going to take really good care of [this medal]."
The association also congratulated the SAR athlete on his historic win for the city.
Aside from the world championship title, Choi was also given prize money of US$40,000.
He will compete in the team foil event later in the competition.
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