HONG KONG — In an unexpected twist following an intense quarterfinal defeat at the National Games, Hong Kong’s top-ranked foil fencer, Ryan Choi Chun-yin, granted a surprisingly candid, viral post-match interview conducted by his close friend and rising celebrity, Keung “Edan” Lok-man. The informal, often mock-combative exchange immediately captured public attention, offering a rare glimpse into the athletes’ resilience and the deep bond between the university roommates, helping to diffuse the sting of Choi’s elimination by Fujian’s Xu Jie.
The unusual press conference began when Choi, widely considered a medal contender, was approached by a reporter from VIUTV. To Choi’s visible surprise and amusement, the interviewer was none other than Lok-man, a member of the massively popular Cantopop group Mirror. The two immediately launched into a playful, highly personalized dialogue that deviated sharply from typical sports reporting.
Friendship Triumphs Over Defeat
The exchange was marked by the pair playfully teasing each other, reflecting a level of familiarity rarely seen in public sports commentary. Upon seeing Lok-man, Choi quipped, “You finally showed up?” Lok-man retorted that he had come to watch the match, prompting Choi to tease him about his tardiness. Lok-man responded with a quick-witted jab, suggesting he hadn’t anticipated Choi’s quick exit from the competition.
The candid nature of the conversation quickly turned to the subject of defeat. When Lok-man asked if Choi was upset about being eliminated, Choi deflected with surprising maturity, using the opportunity to rib his friend. “I’m not upset. I’m grown up now. I won’t get down over a loss, just like you don’t get down over being off-key,” Choi joked, referencing Lok-man’s singing career. “If you got upset every time, you’d never stop.”
Lok-man, acknowledging the resilience beneath the sarcasm, noted, “You really have grown up. I thought you would be more disheartened.” This frank interaction provided a significant, comforting signal, as Lok-man later relayed that seeing his friend’s positive demeanor was a massive relief.
Balancing Competition and Celebrity
The unscripted segment provided considerable comic relief, particularly when Lok-man, seemingly running out of sports-related questions, turned to the cameramen for guidance. Prompted to ask about the feeling of competing on home soil and hearing fan applause, Choi cheekily suggested that most of the cheers were likely directed at his celebrity interviewer.
Despite the lighthearted nature of the interview, Choi maintained his focus on the upcoming challenges. He stressed his commitment to the team foil event, aiming for a gold medal. He concluded the interview with a final friendly challenge to Lok-man: “Are you coming to watch that one?” Lok-man’s inability to immediately commit elicited further laughter, showcasing the easygoing rapport that defines their friendship.
While Lok-man missed the individual bout, the unexpected post-match exchange served as a crucial emotional outlet for Choi. The segment provided the acclaimed fencer with a valuable moment of de-stressing and levity, demonstrating how personal friendships can play a vital role in managing the immense pressures of elite athletic competition. Choi now shifts his absolute focus to the Men’s Team Foil event, where he and his Hong Kong teammates are highly motivated to push for the podium finish.
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