Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3160322/debbie-ho-consider-returning-full-time-hong-kong-athlete-after
Sport/ Hong Kong

Debbie Ho to consider returning as full-time Hong Kong athlete after finishing second behind Vivian Kong in the Challenge Cup épée final

  • An impressive outing causes part-timer Ho to rethink future ahead of a series of big international events in 2022
  • Former world No 1 Kong demands more consistency for the new season as she targets return to the top spot
Vivian Kong (left) and Debbie Ho in the Hong Kong Challenge women’s epee final at the Science Park. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Debbie Ho Tik-lam will consider returning as a full-time athlete after reaching the Challenge Cup women’s épée final, falling only to Hong Kong number one Vivian Kong Man-wai.

Competing in her last home tournament before a month overseas for training and competition, Kong, ranked sixth in the world, showed she is still in a class of her own after a 15-8 victory over Ho at the Science Park Exhibition Hall on Sunday.

But the result was already surprising enough for runner-up Ho, who had only trained once over the past two weeks because of work commitments.

“Maybe there was no pressure for me as I was expecting to lose in the opening elimination rounds,” said the 24-year-old Ho, who stopped full-time training in September last year because she wanted to find a job.

A delighted Debbie Ho after finishing an unexpected runner-up in the Challenge Cup at Science Park Exhibition Hall. Photo: Chan Kin-wa
A delighted Debbie Ho after finishing an unexpected runner-up in the Challenge Cup at Science Park Exhibition Hall. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

“But today’s result is very impressive – much better than I would have expected. With some major events ahead in 2022, I will definitely consider going back to full-time training. I will have a decision later this month.”

Tokyo Olympian Coco Lin Yik-hei finished joint-third alongside Lai Hiu-tung, with both losing in the semi-finals. Fellow Olympian Moonie Chu Ka-mong finished a disappointing 10th.

Ho, who sits fourth in the local rankings, may rise in the standings, improving her hopes of representing Hong Kong at next year’s Asian Championships, World Championships and Asian Games.

The Hong Kong women’s team will leave next month for the new season, which kicks off with the Doha Grand Prix, followed by a World Cup series in Barcelona and a second Grand Prix in Budapest.

The remainder of the season’s schedule is still to be confirmed by the International Fencing Federation.

Vivian Kong (left) and Debbie Ho (second from left) at the prize presentation. Photo: Chan Kin-wa
Vivian Kong (left) and Debbie Ho (second from left) at the prize presentation. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Champion Kong said she had urged Ho to return to train with the squad as a full-time athlete.

By the time Ho starts her training session at the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Fo Tan, the full-time contingent have already finished their workouts.

“She did so well today and was one of the key members of the team at the recent National Games,” Kong said. “She can help us a lot if she trains full-time.”

Meanwhile, Kong aims to show more consistency when the new season kicks off next month, with the ultimate target of getting back to the world’s top spot.

Kong clinched the world No 1 spot in March 2019, closing a sensational season with a bronze medal at the World Championships in Budapest.

“Winning one event and then losing in the first round in the next – I don’t want to see it happen again,” she said.

“I want to be more consistent so that I can regain my world number spot next season.”