Tokyo Olympics: medal hope Vivian Kong misses out on podium shot as underdog Murtazaeva collects second Hong Kong scalp
- 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
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 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.”
04:37
China leads medal tally at Tokyo Olympics; Hong Kong star fencer misses out on finals spot
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.
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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.
