Ruby Chan is aiming to become the first New Zealand fencer in over a decade to compete at the Olympic Games, setting her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 20-year-old foil specialist recently made significant progress by advancing to the main tableau at the World Fencing Championships held in Hong Kong, an accomplishment not seen from a New Zealand representative since 2014.
Fencing, a sport that has featured in every modern Olympic Games since 1896, comprises three disciplines: foil, epee, and sabre. Chan, who began fencing at age nine while living in Hong Kong, was drawn to foil for its blend of physical skill and tactical complexity, describing it as “physical chess.” She relocated to New Zealand at 14, following her father’s path, and has since become the nation’s top-ranked women’s foil fencer.
Despite the personal progress, Chan faces significant challenges in her pursuit of an Olympic berth. Only five New Zealand fencers have ever competed at the Olympics, with Jessica Beer being the most recent in 2004. Chan aims to break new ground by qualifying in foil, a category in which New Zealand has yet to be represented.
Qualification for the Olympics will require Chan to participate regularly in high-level international competitions, a task complicated by limited funding and scarce local training opportunities. Much of her fencing career is supported financially by her family, and international travel to World Cup and Grand Prix events is strategically targeted, as she usually attends just two major competitions annually.
New Zealand’s Olympic selection criteria stipulate that athletes must have achieved a top-16 finish at a world-level event, placing additional pressure on Chan to improve her world ranking. Currently, her best result at the World Championships saw her advance to the knockout round, where she was eliminated by the world No. 6 Anna Cristino of Italy, losing 15-8.
Chan’s training is coordinated with support from coaches both in New Zealand and Hong Kong, where fencing has a larger community and access to more sparring partners. She returns to Hong Kong during school holidays to capitalize on these opportunities, while in New Zealand she works to maintain physical conditioning and training intensity despite a limited pool of competitors, especially in women’s foil. Local participation dwindles beyond high school, often forcing her to train with male foilists who are younger and less experienced.
Her immediate focus is on the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament scheduled for early 2028, which presents her best chance to secure an Olympic quota spot. However, earning a quota does not guarantee selection, as she must meet New Zealand Olympic Committee standards, including prior top-16 finishes.
Reflecting on her recent World Championship performance, Chan said reaching the tournament’s second day was a major milestone in her fledgling senior international career. With continued dedication, strategic planning, and support from her family and coaches, Chan remains committed to realizing her Olympic ambitions, despite the hurdles ahead.