Badminton ace Zhang Beiwen experiences ‘terrible scenes’ as protesters set fire to toll booths at Cross Harbour Tunnel
- The American number one says she has never experienced anything like that in ‘all her years on tour’
- She loses to China’s Chen Yufei in her first semi-final of the year at a world tour 500 tournament
American number one shuttler Zhang Beiwen described coming across black-clad protesters as a “video game” after she witnessed property set on fire while walking on her way to the Coliseum in Hung Hom for the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open.
Zhang, who chose not to stay at the official hotel near the Coliseum because of financial reasons, has to walk 15 minutes to get to the venue from her hotel located along Austin Road.
“I have travelled on tour for many years and this is the most serious incident I have ever come across,” said Zhang, who lost her women’s singles semi-final to Chen Yufei, of China, 21-18, 14-21, 21-15 on Saturday. “The fires were so terrible while the protesters in full gear look like those found in video games. It was quite scary.”
Zhang said staying at The Metropolis, the official hotel, would cost her US$180 per day, which far exceeded her budget. She could not afford staying there without any financial support from governing bodies and opted for the nearby Goh Liu-Ying of Malaysia.
