The 2025 Sands China Asian Youth Elite Fencing League – Macao concluded yesterday, bringing together nearly 1,300 young fencers from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond for three days of competition and exchange in Cotai.
Co-organised by integrated resorts operator Sands China Ltd and Asia Sports Development Ltd (ASD), in conjunction with the Sports Bureau (ID) and the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the event ran from Boxing Day through yesterday at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo.
Boys and girls aged under six to 14 came from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, China’s Taiwan region, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
According to a Saturday statement provided by Sands China, now in its second year, the league expanded its programme with new categories, including individual events for the under-six age group (U-6) and team competitions for under-eight (U-8) and under-12 (U-12) fencers, which aimed to broaden participation among younger athletes.
Ahead of the competition, the organisers held the “Sands China Future Champions Fencing Camp” from December 21 to Christmas Day, where Olympic champions and top coaches provided training for young fencers aged nine to 20.
The nation’s Olympic gold medallist Lei Sheng attended the opening ceremony and later shared techniques with young local athletes, alongside National Games sabre champion Deng Xiaohao.
According to the statement, the competition was complemented by parallel sports and community activities, including the ASD Elite Karate League and interactive booths, striving to create a festival-style sports atmosphere at the venue.
Sands China Chief Executive Officer Grant Chum Kwan Lock was quoted in the statement as saying that the turnout demonstrated “the vibrancy of Macau as a ‘City of Sports’” and expressed hope that the league would support the long-term development of local sports talent.
Local boys Cheong Chong Kio, Ho Ian Chak, Ng Cheok Lam and Ngai Hong Seng won the U-14 Team Men’s Foil competition.
Local girls Cheong Un Lam, Chiquita Bela Cunha and Ung Chin U won the U-10 Team Women’s Foil competition.
Local girls Chai Ieok Sin, Ho Ian Chon, Huang Qia Ru and Sou Chi Io finished the U-12 Team Women’s Foil in second place.
Local fencer Cheong Chong Kio (right) and HK fencer Leung Chun Ming compete in the U-14 Team Men’s Foil during the Sands China Asian Youth Elite Fencing League – Macao, at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo yesterday. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
