‘2025 Sands China Asian Youth Elite Fencing League – Macao’ Competition Kicks Off with Opening Ceremony

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Co-organised by Sands China Ltd. and Asia Sports Development Limited, the three-day competition officially opened on Saturday with the support of the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and the Macao Government Tourism Office.

This year’s event recorded its highest participation to date, attracting nearly 1,300 elite young fencers aged 6 to 14 from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

The competition returned for a second year with expanded categories, including individual events for the U6 age group and team events for the U8 and U12 divisions, broadening access and competitive opportunities for younger athletes.

In the lead-up to the tournament, organisers hosted the Sands China Future Champions Fencing Camp from Dec. 21–25. The programme brought together Olympic champions, elite coaches and professionals to mentor young fencers aged 9 to 20.

Foil training was led by five-time Olympic gold medal coaches Stefano Cerioni and Giovanni Bortolaso, while sabre sessions were conducted by London Olympic team gold medallist Oh Eun Seok, Paris Olympic team silver medallist Yoon Jisu, and Han Won Lee, head coach of Dong-Eui University’s fencing team.

At the opening ceremony, Lei Sheng, gold medallist in men’s foil at the 2012 London Olympics, shared his competitive experience and provided on-site guidance to two young Macao fencers.

He was later joined by Deng Xiaohao, double gold medallist in men’s sabre (individual and team) at the 2021 National Games, for the “Sands Cares Presents: Community Sharing by Champion Fencers” session, aimed at raising fencing standards in Macao.

“After the success of the inaugural Sands China Asian Youth Elite Fencing League event in Macao last year, we are thrilled to once again provide young fencers an opportunity to showcase their talent and vitality on a global stage,” said Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd.

“With the enthusiastic response of young athletes this year, this premier league for Asia’s young fencing talent attracted close to 1,300 participants, fully demonstrating the vibrancy of Macao as a ‘City of Sports.’ We are also pleased to invite fencing champions Lei Sheng and Deng Xiaohao to share their professional techniques with young fencers, inspiring and encouraging them to pursue excellence in sports. We are grateful to Asia Sports Development for their collaboration, to the Macao SAR government for their continued support, to Lei and Deng for their enthusiasm in promoting fencing, and to all the fencers for giving their all and showing the audience an exciting competition. It is our hope that this competition will help inject momentum into the long-term development of sports in Macao.”

Antonio Lam Hin Chung, director of Asia Sports Development Limited and chairman of the Asian Youth Elite Fencing League Organising Committee, said: “Macao has gained momentum in fencing in recent years, while Hong Kong’s achievements in the sport speak for themselves. We hope that this competition can provide young fencers from Hong Kong and Macao an opportunity to exchange techniques with peers from different regions and a platform to showcase their skills, thereby contributing to the development of fencing in Macao.”

Alongside the 2025 Sands China Asian Youth Elite Fencing League – Macao competition, Cotai Expo hosted 60 food and sports booths, added to the event’s lively atmosphere. Admission was free and open to the public.