Ka Long Cheung (HKG) was crowned the Olympic champion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021). Hong Kong, China had never claimed an Olympic medal in fencing before.Cheung could equal Nedo Nadi (ITA, 1912 and 1920) and Christian D'Oriola (ITA, 1952 and 1956) on a joint-record two Olympic gold medals in the men's individual foil event.
The last two Olympic gold medals in the men's individual foil event were 24 years old: Daniele Garozzo (ITA) and Cheung (HKG). Tommaso Marini (ITA, first in the world rankings of the FIE) and Nick Itkin (USA, second in the world rankings) will be 24 years of age at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Italy swept the podium in the men's individual foil World Cup event in Paris in January 2024 (held at Stade Pierre de Coubertin): Marini (gold), Alessio Foconi (silver), Guillaume Bianchi (bronze) and Filippo Macchi (bronze).
Italy and France (both 9) are tied for most Olympic gold medals in the men's individual foil event.
Nick Itkin (USA) could become the first fencer representing United States to win an Olympic gold medal in the men's individual foil event.
USA has claimed five Olympic medals in this event (G0-S3-B2), including silver medals by Albertson van Zo Post (USA, 1904), Joseph Levis (USA, 1932) and Alexander Massialas (USA, 2016). Massialas (G0-S1-B2) could equal Albertson van Zo Post (G1-S1-B2) and Mariel Zagunis (G2-S0-B2) on a joint-record four Olympic medals among fencers representing USA.
France's last Olympic medal in the men's individual foil event was a gold medal for Brice Guyart (FRA) at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Alexander Tchoupenitch (CZE) claimed the bronze medal in the men's foil event at Tokyo 2020. It marked the first Olympic medal in fencing for Czechia.