Tokyo Olympics: fencer Vivian Kong eases into last 16 after solid opening win
- Kong wins her opening bout to keep medal hopes alive
- Kong is the last woman standing for Hong Kong in the individual épée
Kong, the eighth seed at the Makuhari Messe Hall on the first day of fencing action, got off to a tentative start against the Peruvian, who was seeded 25, sharing a handful of points in a series of double hits. They were tied at 6-6 after the first round.
Doig briefly edged in front during the second round at 10-9 before Kong began to find her range. The 27-year-old then reeled off four unanswered touches to get to the brink of the next round, wrapping up the bout inside 14 minutes.
Afterwards, Kong admitted to being emotional during the early phase of the bout after a long period of inaction.
“The venue was gorgeous and I was really nervous, but also really emotional because it’s my first competition in a long time and it’s the Olympics,” Kong said. “I’m just really grateful to be here.”
