18 November 2025
GQ Local Heroes：Ryan Choi
When Ryan Choi reached the pinnacle of men's foil fencing, having transformed his journey from losing his Olympic qualification to attaining world champion status, he inspired the people of Hong Kong with his authentic story. By employing a non-traditional and "unconventional" style, he achieved victory at the Shanghai Grand Prix, the Asian Championships, and the World Championships, rewriting the history of fencing in Hong Kong. This Gen Z fencer is not only unbeatable with his blade but also embodies a mindset of mutual growth, ready to pass on the torch.
As one of the 2025 Local Heroes, the interview naturally started on this topic: how does the “world number one” view this achievement, and what, to him, constitutes a hero? Ryan paused for a moment before reflecting, “A hero has unifying power and can lead by example. Heroes aren’t always public figures; often they’re everyday role models.” When pressed on naming a personal hero, he reflected at length: “I have many, but the closest and most influential is my dad.” It was Ryan’s father who sparked Ryan’s full-time athletic career. Recalling the decision to pursue fencing, he admitted with a sheepish grin that it was not from his “love of fencing”, as outsiders assumed. “Truth is, I became a full-time athlete because I didn’t want a regular job. From childhood, I saw Dad come home exhausted. He retired recently, and I even went to his retirement party. Suddenly, I felt ashamed—he worked years to raise me, yet I dodged work. He endured hardship yet backed my unstable athlete’s path.”
Though Ryan stumbled into the career, he excelled: gold at the 2012 Asian Youth Championships, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic men’s foil team event, the 2025 Shanghai Foil Grand Prix, the 2025 Asian Fencing Championships, and finally the 2025 World Championships. In becoming “world number one,” he realised life’s most precious lesson: “Stay true to yourself, don’t copy others blindly, and don’t be inhibited by conventional limits—think outside the box.”
Stay true to yourself, don’t copy others blindly, and don’t be inhibited by conventional limits—think outside the box.
The insight came from his personal experience. “During this sports journey, I tried reshaping my style for ages because others won that way. To reach number one, I thought I had to mimic them to a tee!” His aggressive, unorthodox moves weren’t recommended by traditional coaches, thus prompting self-doubt and a dilemma over breaking norms. “I’m lucky I had my coach, who urged me to forge my own path. He never forced his method or anyone else’s. Even when I competed with techniques unfamiliar to him, he offered constant encouragement and support.” Ryan laughed that early on he was “pure madness,” but blending stability and daringness—knowing when to steady himself, and when to unleash—brought success. It shone at the 2025 World Championship: a 15-9 victory that made Hong Kong fencing history. “Now, being number one, I realise if I’d just copied proven formulas, the title would mean far less.”
Through these experiences, Ryan matured from a boy dodging adulthood to a seasoned athlete. Hong Kong resilience and optimism run in his blood and fuel his pride. He distils the city’s spirit as this: “People from Hong Kong thrive even in challenging or uncomfortable environments, finding joy amidst hardship. As an athlete, you pour everything in yet often fall short. Still, you grit your teeth and fight on.” Becoming world champion has naturally amplified pressure, “but professional athletes must learn to perform under it, and even exceed expectations.” He treats stress as a way to grow, and even though he stands at the pyramid’s peak, he stays grounded: “I’ve yet to win gold at the National Games, Asian Games, or Olympics. This triumph won’t slacken my hunger; there’s plenty left to chase and learn.” After three 2025 golds, his sights are already set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
I’ve yet to win gold at the National Games, Asian Games, or Olympics. This triumph won’t slacken my hunger; there’s plenty left to chase and learn.
In Rylan’s plans, retirement won’t sever him from fencing; he plans to coach. “I feel lucky to have gained so much here—I must give back. I want to pass down years of experience to the next generation, in Hong Kong and beyond.” Giving back is his focus: “Use what you know to help others, not just yourself. Right now I’m focused on myself, but when my professional athlete days end, I’ll pour everything into the next generation.” This mindset is also reflected in his diverse roles as a Gen Z athlete. In the past, he has served as an Olympic commentator, sharing his expertise on air to broaden the influence of fencing.
Although he has recently had more appearances in the spotlight, he candidly admits that most of his time is divided between “training” and “coaching”. He has been working as a part-time fencing coach for seven or eight years. “Despite my busy schedule now, I remain committed to teaching because I have a responsibility towards my students; I cannot abandon them simply because I am preoccupied with work.” This idea of mutual growth is exemplified in his experience. “I believe that since becoming a coach, I have matured significantly. Teaching requires you to communicate your thoughts to others, and to do this effectively, you must think more deeply and theorise everything. Through this process, you gain a clearer understanding of what you are doing and become more aware of your strengths, examining things in greater detail. Rather than solely instructing others, I find that I am also teaching myself. When my students lose a competition, the encouragement I offer them reflects the embrace I wish to give myself in times of defeat.” Most of Ryan’s students are teenagers who have witnessed his journey to becoming the best in the world, growing alongside him. “I look forward to the day when I can stand on the podium with my students as teammates, celebrating a team victory together.” Under the glow of his achievements, Ryan remains true to his initial intentions. His story as a local hero serves as a reminder that not all heroes wear capes; with dedication, every small effort can shine in its own way.
Photography: Ivan Wong
Styling: Kyle Tang
Make Up: Wing Chan
Hair: Lupus
Wardrobe: Hermès
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