Landmark medal a huge boost for Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong ahead of Asian Championships in her home town
Stanford University student almost beats Olympic champion, but has to settle for silver
Fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai sounded an early warning to rivals at the forthcoming Asian Championships in her home town as she won her first medal at the elite grand prix-level on Monday.
Epeeist Kong was just two points away from beating reigning Olympic champion Emese Szasz-Kovacs of Hungary in the final in Bogota, Colombia, but the 23 year-old Stanford University student had to settle for second after losing two big points in a row.
It was only the second time a Hong Kong fencer has achieved such a feat and a huge boost before her appearance in the regional championships in front of her home fans at Asia World Expo next month.
“She is a talented fencer with good blade feeling, which is very exceptional,” said coach Wong Tsan. “Coupled with her height [1.78 metres] and being a left-hander, it always makes if difficult for opponents to defend.
“She has been in the top 16 in the world for a while and will get better and better with more international exposure.