Tokyo Paralympics: ‘disappointed’ Alison Yu Chui-yee crashes out of épée quarters as Hong Kong await foil and team events

‘It’s the first time Hong Kong has broadcasted [the Paralympics], but we were unable to win a medal for the Hong Kong people to see’, says veteran Yu

Women’s trio have plenty of Tokyo bouts to go as coaches turn attention to defending individual and team foil medals

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Hong Kong’s Yu Chui-yee in a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games women’s individual épée category A round-of-16 duel against Nataliia Mandryk of Ukraine in Japan in August. Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:07pm, 26 Aug 2021Updated: 9:51pm, 26 Aug 2021

Hong Kong’s hopes of a Tokyo 2020 Games individual épée medal are over after seven-time Paralympic gold medallist Alison Yu Chui-yee lost in the women’s category A quarter-final on Thursday.

The 37-year-old Yu, who rolled back the years with several impressive preliminary group round performances, fell to reigning Rio 2016 foil gold medallist Rong Jing of China (11-15) at the Makuhari Messe. It was a disappointing outcome for the veteran who won gold in the event at London 2012 and Athens 2004.

It was a tense affair to start with but Rong, who comfortably beat Poland’s Kinga Drozdz in the last 16, extended her lead at the most important points of the bout.

The three-time Rio gold medallist and 2019 foil world champion’s offensive patience and timing proved a step ahead of her Hong Kong foe. Yu managed to pull it back to 9-10 at one point but dropped three consecutive points to allow Rong breathing room.

Hong Kong’s Alison Yu Chui-yee in the women’s individual épée category A group game at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the Makuhari Messe Hall in Japan. Photo: Hong Kong Paralympic Committee

“I actually felt good in the group bouts in the morning, but I wasn’t able to bring what I’ve been learning with my coaches when facing the Chinese opponent in the quarter-final,” world number eight Yu said.

“Perhaps I still had some doubts in my mind and didn’t put my full focus on the duels. I do feel quite disappointed to lose because it’s such a big event and this one especially – it’s the first time Hong Kong has broadcasted it, but we were unable to win a medal for the Hong Kong people to see and allow them to watch even more of our competitions.