Schoolgirl Alison Yu Chui-yee won't be resting on her laurels despite winning four gold medals in fencing. Rather, she says she has returned to the 'starting point' as she chases more gold medals at the next Games in Beijing in 2008.
'The Athens Games are over for me and it was fantastic to have won four gold medals. But we have returned to the starting point again and we must prepare for the Beijing Paralympics, and prepare for it well,' said the 20-year-old on her team's arrival at Chek Lap Kok airport yesterday. Yu won gold medals in the women's individual foil (A), individual epee (A) and helped her team to a golden double in the team epee (open) and team foil (open) to play a significant role in helping Hong Kong become the most successful fencing nation in the competition.
'We proved that we were the number-one fencing team in the world. It was all down to hard work, persistence and dedication. We worked hard to win. Actually, we were confident we would win gold medals. This is the reward for our hard work,' said Yu, showing off her gold medals.
Yu will return to training next month even though she says she has no more competition left for the remainder of the year. She was looking forward to competing in future events.
'My aim is to do well in Beijing too and it doesn't matter how many gold medals I win as long I know I have done my best. I will continue to work hard,' she said.
Yu led a team of talented fencers to their best-ever result at a Paralympics, helping the SAR finish in 17th place overall out of 136 nations or territories in the medals table. In all, Hong Kong fencers won eight out of 10 possible gold medals in fencing and Yu shone brightest as the most outstanding SAR fencer.