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Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong’s team foil medal hopes dashed after quarter-final loss to defending champions ROC
- Hong Kong’s men’s foil team falls short against defending Olympic champions from the ROC
- Cheung Ka-long again shines, but it’s not enough to secure a shot at the podium
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Paul Rydingin Tokyo
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Hong Kong’s men were beaten 45-39 by the Russian Olympic Committee in the team foil event at the Makuhari Messe hall in Chiba on Sunday morning to bring a sudden and premature end to their fencing campaign, which promised so much more.
On the final day of fencing at Tokyo 2020, fifth seeded Hong Kong were beaten by fourth seeds ROC in an enthralling contest, with only Olympic gold hero Cheung Ka-long and inexperienced youngster Lawrence Ng Lok-wang emerging with any credit on a disappointing day for coach Greg Koenig’s men.
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Hopes were high for the Hong Kong team after Cheung secured an unlikely gold medal in the individual event last Monday. But even a classy showing from the 24-year-old could not bridge the gap to the dominant Russians, the defending Olympic champions in the discipline.
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Coach Koenig had warned excited supporters about the threat the Russians would carry after Cheung’s win, and his words were proven true. It was a sparkling display from the ROC, who have already claimed seven medals, including three golds, during the Tokyo 2020 fencing campaign.
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