Cheung Siu-lun targets November return after surprising his doctor with rapid rehab from ruptured Achilles tendon
- Veteran fencer suffered devastating injury in May but is on target to return to full-time training two months early
- The 36-year-old hopes to maintain high level and ‘be with the team’ at Asian Games and 2024 Paris Olympics
After his season was brought to an abrupt halt by a ruptured Achilles tendon in May, fencing veteran Cheung Siu-lun has a plan to get himself back to the top of his sport.
The 36-year-old underwent surgery after suffering the injury during the round of 64 at the Incheon Grand Prix in South Korea, when he was trailing world No 8 Alaaeldin Abouelkassem of Egypt 13-5.
Cheung spent more than six hours a day rehabilitating the injury at the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), and said maintaining a positive attitude was important.
“The doctor said it would take three months for me to walk without crutches or a rehab boot, and I walked in the swimming pool in the second week after my operation,” Cheung said.
“To be honest, the moment I was injured in Korea I was really sad, especially because the injury may have affected my fencing career at my age.
“But I thought about it another way. I haven’t had a break this long in my 17 years of full-time training, so it could be beneficial. The doctor said I would need six months to recover completely, but I believe I will be able to return to the Fencing Hall [at HKSI] for training next month.”
So quick has Cheung’s recovery been, that he was even able to take part in a media event on Monday, where his power and strength were tested and found to be roughly the same as before his injury.
