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Paul Ryding

A stunning loss against the lowest-ranked fencer in the individual épée field saw Hong Kong medal hope Vivian Kong Man-wai’s podium chances evaporate here on Saturday. It may well be the best chance the 27-year-old will ever have.
Ranked 258th in the world, Aizanat Murtazaeva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, is quickly becoming the story of the opening day of competition at the Makuhari Messe Hall, as her unlikely run to the medal stages continued with a 15-10 win against the world No 7.
Kong’s was the Russian’s second Hong Kong scalp of the day after she beat youngster Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan in the first bout.
Kong admitted to being caught unawares by the 19-year-old Muscovite who, perhaps unsurprisingly, she had never encountered in competition before.




“It was my first time fencing her,” Kong said. “She fenced really well and I have a lot to work on when I get back home.”
Yet another cagey start saw both fencers given red cards for inactivity in the opening round, but Kong held a slender lead at 2-1 at the end of the first. The second round saw some great action and by its conclusion, the Russian had edged 6-5 in front, setting up a final round that would be a real test of Kong’s mettle.


However, the Russian kept up the pressure and racked up the points as the bout drew on.
“In the final stages, I was still thinking about the mistakes I had made earlier and I couldn’t correct my performance in time,” Kong said.
“This Olympic Games is particularly special … I really wanted to display all of my skills and techniques but just couldn’t do it.”


Murtazaeva’s run of surprise victories began with former Youth Olympics silver medallist Hsieh, before she shocked world No 2 Choi Injeong of South Korea, and three-time Pan American champion Kelley Hurley of the US.
The Russian now faces fourth seed and Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sun Yiwen, the world No 3, in the semi-finals.
Tokyo Olympics: a guide to where, when and how to watch the Games in Hong Kong
Kong’s Olympics are not over. She competes in the team épée event on Tuesday when Hong Kong face China in the quarter-finals.
“I’m putting all the motivation into our team event and cheering for the boys,” Kong said.



“I’m really sorry for disappointing everyone because I know you have a lot of expectation for me and I also have a lot to give back to the team behind us. I’m really sorry.”
Hong Kong’s men get their campaign under way on Tuesday with Edgar Cheung Ka-long, Ryan Choi Chun-yin and Cheung Siu-lun all competing in the individual foil event.


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Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tokyo Olympics: medal hope Vivian Kong misses out on podium shot as underdog Murtazaeva collects second Hong Kong scalp

A golden medal chance slipped through Vivian Kong’s fingers when she went down in the quarter-final to Russian Aizanat Murtazaeva. Photo: AP

Tokyo Olympics: Vivian Kong moves within one bout of a medal shot as she progresses to the quarter-finals

Vivian Kong defeated Renata Knapik-Miazga to advance to the quarter-finals of the individual épée. Photo: AP

Tokyo Olympics: fencer Vivian Kong eases into last 16 after solid opening win

Vivian Kong progresses past Maria Luisa Doig Calderon to make the last 16 of the individual épée. Photo: AP

Tokyo Olympics: disappointment for Hong Kong as fencers Kaylin Hsieh and Coco Lin are dumped out in round one

Hong Kong’s Kaylin Hsieh (left) was eliminated in the first round of the individual épée by Aizanat Murtazaeva of the Russian Olympic Committee. Photo: AP

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Fencing - Women's Individual Epee - Last 64 - Makuhari Messe Hall B - Chiba, Japan - July 24, 2021. Lin Yik Hei Coco of Hong Kong in action REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Tokyo Olympics: top Hong Kong medal hope Vivian Kong aims to lead charge from the front

Hong Kong’s Vivian Kong Man-wai is aiming to get the city’s medal push off to quick start in Tokyo. Photo: FEI/Devin Manky

Sport

Hong Kong


Emotional Kong goes out at the hands of breakout Russian star Murtazaeva in quarter-finals
Kong shifts focus to team épée event, which is held on Tuesday



Emotional Kong goes out at the hands of breakout Russian star Murtazaeva in quarter-finals before she shifts her focus to the team épée event, which is held on Tuesday.


Vivian Kong Man-wai

Tokyo Olympics: medal hope Vivian Kong misses out on podium shot as underdog Murtazaeva collects second Hong Kong scalp

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Emotional Kong goes out at the hands of breakout Russian star Murtazaeva in quarter-finals Kong shifts focus to team épée event, which is held on Tuesday

Emotional Kong goes out at the hands of breakout Russian star Murtazaeva in quarter-finals

Kong shifts focus to team épée event, which is held on Tuesday