Last month, I caught up with Renee to talk about ‘that bout at 2024 AFC 3 in Adelaide’, she could have given up.. but didn’t.
Renee (Vic) was sitting at 7 points with 6 points down when Amelie Yee from NSW was ahead with 13 points. With just 17 seconds left on the clock at the final period, Renee was depleted. She managed to fence through to 10 points (2 doubles and 1 single point) with her last breath, with Amelie winning at 15 points. She could not have done this alone and she knows it, but she did her personal best with her Victorian supporters on the sideline. From where I was shooting, it was chaotic and heroic at the same time, there were shouts and cheers, this is what excellent sports photography journalism is made of. I captured few strong touches, many tears of strength and joy and the most authentic supports; you had to be there.
Renee and I also took a deeper dive into the social perspective that makes up the fencing and sports culture in Hong Kong. Late 2023, I had the privilege to spend 3.5 weeks in Hong Kong to photograph several sports at the official facilities for the Gay Games, such as HK Rowing Association, HK Dragon Boat Association, Tennis and Swimming at Hong Kong University, Squash at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, just to name a few, all great facilities and obviously with a lot of fundings and support. Other sports are played in HK, such as Rugby 7 in HK, with the upcoming Kai Tak Stadium the sport will be held at a world class stadium with a capacity of 50,000 seats. Hong Kong Sevens is already a premier event in the World Rugby Sevens Series, fans from all over the world would fly to HK for the annual event. Squash is also popular; it was an introduction by the expats then spread to the wider HK community. In HK, trends spread like fire, they just make things happen.
While HK is known for its notorious political unrest but if you can filter out the noise, then sport is the next best thing, although some may argue the next best thing is the food, hiking or shopping.
The support system. You can see the trust between them.
Contributor: Ka Wan Cheung (Renee)
Author / Photographer: Ed Chiu
Date: Feb 2025
Ed: Hi Renee, first off please tell me about yourself, how long have you been fencing and from where and when did you come to Australia?
Renee: I was born and raised in Hong Kong, came to Australia in 2020 to study my undergrad and now I am studying Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne. I have been fencing for a while since I was around 10 years old. I started fencing foil before switching to Epee at 12.
I took up fencing because my mum decided to let me do some random sports during my summer holidays and I have no clue where she got the idea of ‘fencing’, since back then fencing was not a popular sport in Hong Kong.
Throwback to 2012 when Renee first picked up Epee, two years after he started fencing with Foil.
Ed: I left Hong Kong when I was 8 in Grade 3. I remember kids in HK were excellent at Table Tennis, I played it once or twice in school, the kids were doing tricks from a young age, I have this image in my head they were bouncing around in rhythm, fun to watch but harder to participate. Every school had a couple of tables at the playgrounds, mostly dominated by boys while girls played hopscotch. Back then, kids in HK had simple games, it was pre mobile phone and social media, kids would draw on the concrete with chalks to make up games and Cat’s Cradle (string game using hands) was extremely popular – something you can teach your kids to play for long road trips.
I heard nothing until Lee Lai San won Hong Kong’s first ever gold in the history of Olympics in 1996 with Windsurfing of all things. Even to this day, HK media and publication like Tattler Hong Kong, South China Post and Vogue Hong Kong still highlights her legacy during Olympics campaigns in 2020 and 2024 because HK awarded with gold medal is rare.
USFHK Fencing 2018/19 The Uni Sports Federation of HK (Photo: Supplied by Renee)
Now fencing is very popular in Hong Kong. I think a lot of it has to do with pride, like seeing someone from Hong Kong do well on the world stage makes people want to get involved.
Ed: you must have witnessed the transition, did it kind of happen overnight? You would have started way before Cheung Ka Long won gold in London. Was there a lot of dialogue around Fencing before that?
Renee: Fencing wasn’t really a big thing in Hong Kong back in the day. When I was in primary and secondary school, my school didn’t even have a fencing club, there were maybe just a few of us doing it, and it was nothing compared to popular sports like badminton, basketball, or tennis. It wasn’t until I got to uni that I met more people who were into fencing.
Everything changed when Cheung Ka Long started winning. I still remember when he made it to the semifinals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, everyone went nuts. When he won gold, it was like the whole city stopped. They were showing the match live on every channel, in malls, everywhere. It was a huge deal. And then when he won gold again in Paris 2024, the hype was just unstoppable.
Now fencing is so much more popular in Hong Kong. I think a lot of it has to do with pride, like seeing someone from Hong Kong do so well on the world stage makes people want to get involved. It’s been really cool to see how much the sport has grown since then.
Japan Fencing Camp 2019 at Chuo University, Tokyo (Photo: Supplied by Renee)
Ed: It is bizarre to see how quickly fencing gained popularity in Hong Kong socially and competitively, now HK needs to keep up with the reputation. As you said, Sports has grown exponentially across the board in HK and people are paying attention.
How do you compare fencing in HK against Australia in terms of scale and visibility from different aspects
a) Social Visibility & Accessibility
Renee: Fencing has really blown up in Hong Kong, especially after the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. With all the media attention and local success stories, more people are getting into it. There are fencing clubs in almost every district, with plenty of facilities and coaches specialising in all three weapons (epee, foil, sabre). It’s super accessible compared to Australia, where fencing is still pretty niche, and finding a club or training venue can be a challenge.
That said, one thing I really like about Australia is the Australian Fencing Circuit (AFC), it gives me regular competition opportunities, which keeps things interesting. In Hong Kong, there are fewer Open competitions and they tend to have more fencers, so it’s a different experience.
b) Parent Support & Popularity of Other Sports
Renee: Both Hong Kong and Australia have their own sports culture. In HK, sports like badminton, table tennis, and swimming are huge, but fencing is gaining traction, and more parents are encouraging their kids to take it up. It’s also seen as a prestigious sport, so parents don’t mind investing in private coaching and club memberships.
In Australia, parents tend to push their kids towards team sports like AFL, rugby, or cricket. Fencing definitely has a smaller scene, but the parents who do support fencing are really dedicated. Schools and clubs do a good job of creating pathways for young fencers, even though it’s not as mainstream.
c) Prize Money & Incentives
Renee: Both Hong Kong and Australia give out the usual medals and trophies, but Hong Kong sometimes offers cash prizes in Open competitions. If you’re representing Hong Kong internationally, you might get subsidies for training and travel, which is a nice bonus.
In Australia, from what I’ve heard, most fencers self-fund their overseas competitions and training. There are some grants and scholarships, but it’s generally more out-of-pocket, so there’s less financial incentive to compete at a high level.
d) Fencing in Schools & Competitions
Renee: Since the Tokyo Olympics, fencing in HK schools exploded. There are new fencing stadiums, and annual inter-school competitions happen at the primary, secondary, and university levels. It’s really structured, and kids have plenty of opportunities to get into the sport from a young age.
I didn’t grow up in Australia but from what I’ve seen, there are inter-school competitions and other comps like the Australian Youth Circuit (AYC) and the Australian Fencing Circuit (AFC) that give fencers solid opportunities. While both places have a good number of competitions, school fencing is probably bigger in Hong Kong. But that doesn’t really mean anything, it’s just cultural differences. Fencing is more popular in Hong Kong while footy and cricket are huge in Australia so it’s just how things are.
Renee and Ellen ready for their close up at 2024 AFC 3, hosted by Fencing South Australia
e) Career Pathways & Transferable Skills
Renee: One of the best things about fencing is that it teaches you more than just the sport itself, to be honest, I think sports in general teach you about strategy, discipline, quick decision-making, and mental toughness. In Hong Kong, with the sport gaining more attention, some fencers go into coaching, sports management, or other roles that overlap with their passion for fencing.
In Australia, fencing might be a niche sport, but that doesn’t mean the skills you gain are not useful in other areas. The resilience, adaptability, and mental toughness you build are things you can take into any profession. Even if someone doesn’t stick with fencing long-term, the mindset and habits it teaches can definitely help in whatever they end up doing.
Ed: It is definitely something that Aussie kids need to hear, because skills such as reffing, coaching and even volunteering for the sport are something that an employer like me would be interested to know more about, it stands out on the CV. A lot of jobs, whether it is graduate positions and especially career change, they are not hired solely based on the academic scores; employers are interested in what you do outside of the classrooms. They can determine what type of personality you have to see if you are a good fit to their workplace culture.
Actually I am speaking to another fencer that you may have fenced in AFC – Alexandra Patchen from Brisbane, she mentioned that being a fencing coach gave her great skills in her current profession as a physiotherapist and how she became a physio has a lot to do with her as a fencer. I will be releasing that conversation soon.
Renee vs Sixuan YAO, Renee’s first DE at 2024 AFC#3. Renee won 15 / 12
Ellen strip side coaching Renee vs Sioxan Yao at first DE (2024 AFC 3)
4) How would you describe the level of competition between Open events in HK and Australia, in terms of the range of fencers at a high level of fencing, since if there are more competitive fencers in Hong Kong, would it be more challenging?
Renee: The competition level in Open events between Hong Kong and Australia feels very different. Hong Kong has a deeper pool of strong fencers, partly because the sport is more popular there, and fencers have way more opportunities to compete at a high level. Also, with China, Korea, and Japan just a short flight away, it’s super easy for them to get international experience and keep improving.
In Australia, there are definitely some strong / competitive / solid fencers, but overall, the depth of competition isn’t as high. Fencing’s just not as big here, and since most fencers have to fund everything themselves, traveling overseas for comps is a lot harder. And you know Australia is so far from everything that even if money wasn’t an issue, just getting to strong competitions regularly is a challenge. On the other hand, fencers in Hong Kong can just pop over to another Asian country for a weekend comp, which makes a huge difference in staying sharp at a high level.
I think there are still a lot of good fencers in Australia. If more resources and funding were put into the sport, and with the growing interest and number of fencers, I feel like it could really take off. And with the right support, it can reach the same level of success as other top fencing regions
Ed: How are fencers selected into the HK National Team?
Renee: Firstly, I want to clarify that I’ve never been selected for Hong Kong’s National Team, so I apologise if any of the information is slightly inaccurate. But from my understanding, to be selected or invited to join the Hong Kong National Fencing Team, you need to first join the Hong Kong Fencing Association (HKFA), compete, and achieve good results, usually finishing in the top 8 or above and other strict selection criterias. Similar to the AFF, you will then get an overall ranking after competing in various competitions, but in Hong Kong the top-ranked fencers will be invited to train at the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI)
By ranking at the top tier, you may be selected to represent Hong Kong in overseas competitions, at least for the larger-scale comps. I believe for some smaller-scale overseas competitions, fencers can also join by self-funding. Since you can’t simply pay to get into the national team, I’d say the quality of the fencers on the team remains at a very high standard.
Renee vs Amelie at 2024 AFC3
Ed: We have to talk about that bout you fenced at the AFC 3 second DE .. what happened and how did you manage to gain 4 more points in the final 30 sec?
Renee: It was such a difficult day, mentally and physically. Basically before AFC 3, I did not train for almost 2 months. AFC 3 was towards the end of November and I stopped training entirely in late September or early October because it was exam season and I was doing four subjects last semester, too much workload and I needed to focus on my academics.
Initially, I didn’t want to compete in AFC 3 because I knew that without proper training i would not do well but ‘I was like well my exams will be done in mid November I will have 1.5 weeks before AFC so that should be okay and just treat it as a trip/ break to escape from Melbourne. Anyway fast forward to comp day, when I woke up I knew it was not going to be the best day. I wasn’t ready at all.
Even in the poules I could not stay focus and my limbs were so stiff, bad results from the poules and I needed to fence in the first round of DE against Sixuan Yao who I believe is a young beginner fencer, even though I won that bout, but the score was close at 12 / 15.
Ed: But I feel that even with new fencers you still need to beat them to get to the next round and when you’re not mentally prepared so many things can go wrong so in a way you got there in the end and 15 / 12 is kind of close margin but still a comfortable win on your part and a great relief in the end.
Renee: Like I was panicking during that first DE and I was like ‘There’s no way I am gonna get kicked out in the first round but anyway I managed to make it through to the second DE’. Reflecting on this, I feel like this should not be the excuse if I decided to compete in AFC but still you know sometimes I can’t control my headspace.
Anyway during the bout I got very nervous, because my opponent Amelie Yee had a lot of supporters. I mean when I fence I’m focusing on the match but I could see other people in the corner of my eyes so the first 3 minutes were brutal, basically single hits from her and some doubles.
Renee: But alongside, Kate and Ellen came to support me.
Ed: I also saw Sarah Osvath jumping into the bunch, she was amazed by the cheering.
Renee: Yes i heard that.
Ed: It got interesting when Kate and Ellen were literally cheering for you to just GO FOR IT!
Renee: To be honest, physically I could not catch up with my breath but mentally when I saw them cheering for me, it made a huge difference for my comeback but at least I pulled myself together in the final 3 minutes. Ellen and Kate could tell I was on the verge of giving up.
Ed: You did look exhausted but I think it would be exhausting for any fencer in that situation.. because it’s like you only have 10 seconds to diffuse a time bomb. What do you do? run or try to diffuse it. I know it sounds extreme but that is literally my mental space when I’m hitting a deadline at work a few years ago because I was in a very stressful job with things that were out of my control.
Renee: They were basically shouting on top of their lungs, and I was like they would be so disappointed if I was not doing my best. So, in the last 3 mins I pulled myself together finally getting I don’t know a few single hits. But it was too late to catch up the score and of course I lost.
Ed: That’s the power of supporters, whether it’s other fencers or strip side coaching or just someone reminding you to do certain things. I remember when I competed my first Sabre B grade comp in Fencing Victoria, I had Melody offer to coach me on the side, I was fairly new to Sabre navigating priority rules. At one point I didn’t do anything when I regained the priority with a parry, so she shouted out “Gooo!!!” That was my cue for attacking my opponent. So yeh I think everyone needs a bit of a kicker at the back.
Renee vs Amelie. With only 14 seconds left on the clock, Renee battled through, she got one single point here.
Renee: At the final minute I was like “should I keep the score 13-7 or should I go for it and make it till the end? Yeh it’s like ‘All or Nothing”
Ed: So, 3 months on, this is a very good reflection, and this is what you are feeling right now. Obviously, it’s an indication for you to move forward and see how you can do it differently when you prep for your next AFC, from training and time management.
Renee: Yes exactly, fingers cross that I can do better.
Ed: Like how I handled fencing last year, most of 2024 I devoted at least 40 hours per week on fencing photography and building the content for this website, I actually have a day job in photography so I had to set my priority. I put my own fencing as secondary to fencing photography and it was very necessary, I have made that decision based on 3 years goal plan. As a professional photographer my focus is very different to the casual snappers who shoot whenever they feel like it because no one is going to judge their work. I have a reputation to uphold and be viewed by my peers and the industry in Australia and overseas.
It’s like an affirmation and then you need to keep it, even just adjusting the timetable and make some sacrifices. For example instead of training 8 hours per week, just do 2 or 3 hours and at least you are in the loop, have contact with your coach, your weapons, the footwork and just being in the environment.
Renee’s got her final hit towards, scored a double at 10 points before the final period ends
Renee was relieved that she lost by 5 and not 8 points.
Renee: As an international student I don’t really know or familiar with the fencing culture here, like I don’t really talk to people in comps because I don’t know many fencers. I am close to a few Victorian fencers. Ellen is also from Melbourne Uni, but Kate is in ANU (Australia National University). I met both of them at Fencing Victoria.
Ed: It is also hard to navigate someone’s personality if you only see them at Fencing Victoria 2 hours per week. I know some fencers who just come in, train, fence and don’t socialise with anyone, but it’s hard to know people if you are either a beginner or if you are not from here. Many senior fencers started around the same time at a young age, and they have known each other for a very long time, toured and trained together.
Ed: The photos I took of you three girls, Kate and Ellen consoling you after the bout, it was very authentic, very journalism material. I went full on ‘fly on the wall’ mode but I didn’t want to intrude on the private moment. You can’t always get real emotion everytime end of a bout.
Renee: I know literally the best shot, like it’s so real. Like given the fact that I cried in front of them. You can tell I trust them so much, because I’m not an expressive person.
Ed: Oh I get it, I’m a Taurus.. I am like a closed book, I don’t even cry at funerals. Stoic and introvert is not a good mix. I don’t express myself nor do I display my vulnerability in public. I just get on with my life.
Renee: SAMEEEE TAURUS NO WAY!!
Ed: Yes… My brother is a Leo. He expresses too much. I’m like STFU.
Renee: Overwhelming.
Kate and Ellen gave Renee the support she needed after her defeat against Amelie Yee
Ed: So where do you go from here with fencing? Are you prepping for your next comp .. AFC 4 then nationals? What is your future in fencing, after you finish your studies? Do you plan to go back to Hong Kong to work?
Renee: Hmm in the near future I might spend more time in Australia but who knows. I am slowly picking up fencing again because after AFC 3 I took a really long break
Ed: Do you want to compete internationally? Or are you only doing Aussie ones at the moment? Do you compete in HK fencing comps?
Renee: No, just Aussie ones because I only travel back to Hong Kong once a year. I went back to HK early December for a month, I didn’t train in HK, got back in Melbourne early January and started my uni / internship. But getting back to training and hopefully can perform better but we’ll see.
I will keep fencing of course, I mean I treat fencing slightly more than a hobby because I do regular comps but not like a professional career. The only thing I know is no matter where I am, fencing is part of me so I just need regular training to keep myself alive.
Fencing is just part of my life, I cannot live without it. It’s like work, study, fence, eat and sleep. The essentials.
Kate transferred some positive calming energy towards Renee.. (maybe)
Ed: Well you’re lucky that whether it’s Australia or HK.. they both have a lot of accessibility to fencing.. even if Australia has lesser resources but you are already part of the Victoria / Australia Fencing community.
Renee: Yes, before coming to Australia I had to make sure that there’s Fencing, literally searched Fencing Victoria website and make sure I have access to training.
Ed: You moved to the right state, that Victoria has a fencing centre with great facility and a lot of resources.
Renee: It’s like those people doing gym, Gym is Life. It just happens that I enjoy fencing so much that I wouldn’t give up on it
Ed: Do you ref?
Renee: Nope I have not done the referee course here, but I would love to.
Ed: Or coach?
Renee: Not in Australia, but back in HK I coached part time and taught kids the basic footwork. I didn’t coach professionally because my level is not up to standard, but I am learning new things in fencing everyday.
These girls were making so much racket on the side.. “Go..!! Gooo. you have nothing to lose!!” Sometimes we all need a bit of a kick.
Ed: Ok. Winding this up, I wish you the best with your study and semi fencing career / lifestyle. I hope these photos can become a great reminder, for better or worse – you did not give up but kept on fencing until the end with your supporters by your side. I have photographed you at previous AFC in the last year and you have always given it your best shots every time, regardless.
Renee: Thank you for inviting me to collaborate with you, I hope you have gained enough insight.
Ed: From the outside you never look unconfident and I guess it’s not something you want your opponents to see. It’s like when you are confronted by a tiger in the forest, you don’t want the tiger to feel your fear.
Renee: For real, yes. 有苦自己知 (Cantonese translates to English >> You know your own suffering <<
Ed: Typical Taurus.
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