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Fencing’s newest teenage star Jaelyn Liu talks Olympic goals, Chinese parents and ballet

At 15 years and 10 months, Jaelyn Liu’s victory in Hong Kong makes her youngest winner of a World Cup event, and she’s just getting started

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Jaelyn Liu’s victory over Martina Sinigalia made her the youngest winner of a Foil World Cup event. Photo: Edmond So

After writing her name into the fencing record books in Hong Kong, newly crowned Foil World Cup champion Jaelyn Liu immediately set her sights on representing the United States at the 2028 Olympics.

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At 15 years and 10 months, Liu became the youngest winner of a World Cup stop when she triumphed in the city on Saturday, but said she still had a lot to learn from compatriot and world No 1 Lee Kiefer, whom she beat en route to a maiden senior title.

World No 93 Liu got the better of four of the world’s top 20 foilists at AsiaWorld-Expo.

“I didn’t really have any expectations, I just wanted to fence my best, attack like a fighter because I got in the top 32 in my last senior World Cup in Busan [last month],” Liu said. “I just wanted to hit the same goal, but the main thing was just to fence my best.

“I was so young and I was kind of inexperienced, so this was really unexpected for me. I’m very fulfilled and happy now, because I didn’t expect this. This is crazy. I’m really excited.”

Jaelyn Liu (right) and Martina Sinigalia battle it out during the final of the Women’s Foil World Cup. Photo: Edmond So
Jaelyn Liu (right) and Martina Sinigalia battle it out during the final of the Women’s Foil World Cup. Photo: Edmond So

Her biggest scalp came in the round of 32 when she beat two-time Olympic gold medallist Kiefer 15-13, but the teenager was not getting carried away.

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