Auckland Fencer Ruby Chan Eyes LA28 History After World Championship Breakthrough
As reported by Newsroom, Auckland physiotherapy student Ruby Ho Ting Chan has become the first New Zealand female foil fencer to reach the final day of a world championships event, progressing to the top 64 at this year's competition held in Hong Kong.
Chan, 20, adopted a deliberately relaxed mindset heading into the tournament, telling Newsroom she wanted to enjoy the experience rather than fixate on results. She credits that shift in attitude for her best-ever performance. Her description of the sport says it all.
The New Zealand Herald reported she called foil fencing "physical chess" because of the tactical demands the discipline places on competitors.
A Rare Piece of Kiwi Fencing History
Only five New Zealanders have ever competed in Olympic fencing. The most recent was Jessica Beer at the Athens 2004 Games.
Fencing has appeared at every modern Olympics since 1896, alongside athletics, cycling, swimming, and gymnastics, yet the sport remains largely off the radar in New Zealand.
Among those five Kiwi Olympians, just one competed in the foil discipline — Brian Pickworth, in Rome in 1960. Chan is aiming to be the second, and the first woman to do so.
How Chan Got Here
Chan was born in Hong Kong and first picked up a foil at nine years old when her primary school allocated students to different activities and she ended up with fencing. She was left-handed.
Newsroom reported she believes that gave her an edge against opponents more accustomed to right-handers. Academic pressure meant fencing stayed a hobby until her family circumstances changed.
At 14, she moved to New Zealand following in her father's footsteps, who had studied at Kelston Boys' High School at the same age.
Chan enrolled at Epsom Girls Grammar and joined Auckland Swords within days of arriving, before later moving to Pulse Fencing Club in central Auckland, where she now trains most days and also coaches.
Her preparation remains largely self-managed. Chan told the Herald that her training plan is organised by herself, her family, and coaches across both New Zealand and Hong Kong.
She returns to Hong Kong during holidays to access better training partners and coaching infrastructure. Kiwi women's sport
What She Still Needs to Qualify
Reaching the top 64 in Hong Kong was significant. But Chan faces further requirements before she can punch a ticket to Los Angeles.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee requires her to have previously finished in the top 16 at a world-level competition, a standard she has not yet reached.
Her most realistic qualification pathway, according to the Herald, is the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifying Tournament in early 2028.
Securing a quota spot there would still not automatically guarantee her selection, Chan would also need to satisfy the NZOC's broader athlete nomination criteria.
She told the Herald the lack of resources and support has been a source of stress, but that her passion for the sport and her family's backing keep her pushing forward.
Chan's Confidence After Hong Kong
The world championships result appears to have clarified where Chan stands on the international circuit. Hong Kong answered something.
She told Newsroom that seeing which athletes she is capable of beating has reinforced that her fencing style is viable at the top level. Chan now has roughly 18 months to make the performance gains required to meet New Zealand's selection criteria for LA28.