Earlier this season Zhou returned to the pistes after a three-year hiatus after giving birth to her son. On Monday Zhou won gold in the women’s foil category B, including a semi-final win against Thailand’s darling and reigning Paralympic champion Saysunee Jana. 

“When I got this gold medal I felt so excited. Before in the morning I told myself I need to calm down and do my best. So I did it!,! Zhou said. 

“It’s not easy for me because I was back home for three years and I had to go back to training again. It was a struggle and I have to train very, very hard every day and I also have to calm down when I go to each competition, and it’s not easy. But every time I think I did a little bit better. I think, I will keep going.” 

For her gold Zhou overcame Nga Ting Tong of Hong Kong, China, in the final who herself enjoyed stepping onto the podium once more with silver. 

Despite being used to occupying the top spot, Jana still managed a top three finish with bronze. South Korea’s Yejin Jo took the other bronze, an impressive performance for the 22-year-old. 

China secured another five medals – including two golds – in the men’s sabre category B and women’s foil category A. 

Paris 2024 bronze medallist Jie Zhang dispatched Paralympic title-holder Adrian Castro for the win in the sabre, coming back from 8-4 down and leaving the Pole with silver. 

“I think Thailand is my lucky place. I am very happy to win the competition,” Zhang said. 

“At first I didn’t think I was ready but when I was down I changed my mind and my body, so I think I could control the game.” 

Zhu Fan Li secured bronze for China alongside Neutral Para Athlete Timur Khamatshin. 

In the women’s foil, world champion Haiyan Gu reasserted her dominance against teammate Yuandong Chen to claim victory.  

Speaking about the upcoming Asian Championships in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 18-24 October, Chen commented: “I think every match is very important for me. I will improve myself and I will do my best in training and hope to win.”  

Hungary’s Anna Nadasdy and Xufeng Zou were the bronze medallists. 

German Paralympic champion Maurice Schmidt continued his run of form in the men’s sabre category A.  

Schmidt doubled his World Cup gold medal haul for 2026 in an exceptional final against Ukraine’s Artem Manko. With spades of creativity and confidence leading to his victory, Schmidt said: 

“Yesterday I won bronze in the epee, today I won gold. I win again after winning [at the World Cup in] Bradenton. I am perfect in sabre. I know I can beat everyone and I showed it today again and it was a very good feeling. It was hard matches but I still felt like I had the upper hand and I didn’t feel too stressed in matches.” 

On the upcoming European Championships in Cardiff, Great Britain, from 6-11 October, Schmidt said he aims to bag his first title: 

“Of course there my goal is to get a gold medal. I just got silver there one time and I’m ready to get the gold this time.” 

Manko’s silver is his latest podium appearance whilst China increased added to their medal tally, which is already significant at the end of the second day of competition. Jianquan Tian and Yang Cheng took both bronzes. 

The Pattaya 2026 Para Fencing World Cup continues on Monday with the men’s foil and women’s epee. It is the last competition ahead of the opening of the qualification window for the LA 2028 Paralympics.