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Header images courtesy of Fencing Master and Fencing Sport Academy (via Facebook)
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the whole of Hong Kong watched with bated breath as Edgar Cheung Ka-long defended his title as Olympic champion in the individual men’s foil final. It was a glorious moment for the city when he ended up winning his second consecutive gold medal—Hong Kong’s second gold medal at the Summer Games this year, since Vivian Kong Man-wai’s individual women’s épée triumph a few days earlier.
If you have been understandably swept up in the Olympics and now want to try your hand at fencing or enrol your little ones in classes, look no further: here are Hong Kong’s top places for fencing lessons. En garde!
Fencing Podium might be relatively new to the game—it was founded by Vincent Tsui in 2020—but the level of attention and care it applies to its students stands as a testament to its instructors’ combined years of experience. Offering fencing lessons for all ages, the school aims to foster strength of the mind, character, and body through the sport.
Classes are taught by ex-Hong Kong team members and internationally recognised fencers in small groups, or even one-on-one. Little ones will be introduced to the sport in beginner classes suitable for children aged three to 12 years old. Adult classes are also available, in addition to professional coaching.
Fencing Podium, Unit 3, 2/F, Sing Shun Centre, 495 Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan | (+852) 3974 5524
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Led by two-time Olympian head coach Lau Kwok-kin, Hong Kong Fencing Master offers a variety of classes structured in eight levels to suit everyone from beginners to competitive fencers. The structure follows a badge level development pathway, so each level also targets specific areas of improvement, such as endurance, agility, hand-eye-foot coordination, bladework, and strategic skills. Students can also choose whether to learn sabre, epée, or foil; they can then choose to join different classes based on their level of experience and investment.
Aside from running summer and winter camps for kids, Hong Kong Fencer Master also has plenty of fencing-centric activities for adults! Those interested in learning fencing can join newbie or experience classes, while employers who want a unique fencing and team-building experience can sign up for its “I Fence” or “Musketeer Challenge” programmes.
Hong Kong Fencing Master, locations across Hong Kong | (+852) 6900 1070
Don’t let the dated-looking website put you off; Hong Kong Fencing School is by now famous for producing our very own athletic talent Edgar Cheung Ka-long after a gruelling six-year training period. Although its summer fencing course is no longer accepting applications, keep an eye on the HKFS Facebook for new class announcements! Classes are offered in Cantonese and Mandarin, but not English. As might be expected, this academy has seen a huge influx of interest, so don’t be surprised if you are waitlisted.
Hong Kong Fencing School, locations across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
Affiliated with the Hong Kong Fencing Association, the Academy of Fencing (AFHK) welcomes novices from the age of four and up, where students can be trained in all three of the fencing weapons—the foil, épée, and sabre. Students interested in sharpening their fencing skills to a professional level can opt for one-on-one individual classes. It also offers corporate fencing trials, an activity than can help reduce employees’ stress, and increase productivity. Training happens at the AFHK training centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, and fencing equipment is provided for all adult fencing classes.
Academy of Fencing, 9/F, TAL Building, 49 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 9421 3579
Fencing Sport Academy offers lesson plans ranging from kids’ classes using plastic foils, all the way to elite classes wielding advanced foils. All of its coaches are certified by the Hong Kong Fencing Association, and it has established its own code of conduct to ensure safety during training. These measures were specially put into place by its founder Zheng Zhao-kang, who was an Olympic referee from 1999 to 2016. We also like that they are working to change the image of fencing as an exclusive elite sport by offering learning experiences to less privileged children in Hong Kong, with its summer fencing trial classes priced at $90 for kids aged three to five. Make sure to be on the lookout for new classes and deals on the Facebook page.
Fencing Sport Academy, Unit 2706–10, 27/F, Prosperity Place, 6 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong | (+852) 3568 0155
Those living a little further out need not worry about having to travel too far for fencing lessons; Fencers Club has four locations across Hong Kong, with three of them around the New Territories. With a focus on certification classes and competition training, students aiming for a career in fencing will definitely be interested in the courses it has to offer, especially when the consulting coach recently won silver at the Asian Fencing Championships Kuwait 2024. Visit the Facebook page for more details.
ProFencing fosters a steady growth in performance by exposing students to local, regional, and international fencing competitions. Classes are split into groups aged three to six, seven to 12, 13 to 18, and all the way to adult classes. Pre-school and adult students get the additional benefit of having fencing gear provided by ProFencing at no extra cost. You can find all the schedules for the different classes here, so contact the team if you’re interested!
ProFencing, 3/F, Chinachem 333 Plaza, 333 Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan | (+852) 2390 3292
As one of Hong Kong’s premier fencing centres, Excel Fencing enjoys state-of-the-art sports equipment that provides a safe and professional environment for learners. Aimed at students interested in competitive fencing, Excel Fencing’s training space perfectly simulates professional fencing competitions with its four 140-metre-long metal strips and electronic target systems.
Excel Fencing, Unit 902–903, 9/F, Marina 8, 8 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang | (+852) 2110 9655
As its name suggests, Elite Fencing aims to produce first-rate fencers with an all-star coaching team. Students can enjoy the unique facilities, such as full-length electric fencing strips, as well as open fencing and bouting strips to fence against a variety of opponents. Choose from the club’s foil and sabre group lessons, private lessons, or fencing camp.
HK Elite Fencing, Unit 1, 1/F, Landmark South, 39 Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang | (+852) 2338 2988
While it still offers intensive one-on-one training for younger students, European Fencing Club focuses on non-competitive fencing for both young and adult students. It hopes to foster a positive and supportive environment for its learners to develop the skill, discipline, and sportsmanship necessary to excel at fencing. Interested adult learners can join a single class to learn the basics plus let off some steam. You can also purchase the monthly unlimited package, which provides a lot more flexibility.
European Fencing Club, Office 503–505, International Enterprise Centre 3, 18 Tai Chung Road, Tsuen Wan | (+852) 6577 5609
First published on 14 September 2021. Written by Catharina Cheung. Last updated by Punita Chan.
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