Hong Kong’s team is awaiting a decision from the International Fencing Federation (FIE) regarding the final results of the women’s épée World Cup event in Sochi last weekend. Vivian Kong Man-wai reached the semi-finals in Russia, which were also set to feature three of the hosts’ fencers, before her medal match was abruptly cancelled and the event was halted following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last week. Last Sunday’s team event was also called off for unspecified reasons, and all information regarding the Sochi World Cup series on the FIE website has disappeared. “We heard there should be some decisions to be made by the world governing body after the event was stopped at the individual semi-final stage,” Hong Kong head coach Zheng Kangzhao said. “It may have to do with the political situation in Russia but we don’t know the exact reason,” Zheng added. The Hong Kong team is now on its way to its next event in Budapest this weekend, but travel arrangements have been altered with disruptions to transport in Europe amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. “We hope it won’t affect our plan,” Zheng said. The Inside the Games website reported on Monday that FIE president Alisher Usmanov was included on the European Union’s sanctions list imposed on Russian oligarchs over the invasion of Ukraine. The 68-year-old Usmanov, whose personal fortune is estimated by Forbes at US$12 billion, was re-elected for a fourth term as FIE president last November. But he was also reported to be a “pro-Kremlin oligarch with particularly close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin ”. Usmanov, who fenced in his youth in the sabre discipline, has invested in fencing programmes and the development of the sport around the world. “I don’t know him [Usmanov] in person but I did meet him a couple of times during major competitions,” former Team China fencer Zheng said. “I heard he has made a lot of donations to the sport, but I’m not sure if he has anything to do with Russia politics.” Zheng also played down Cheung Ka-long’s unsuccessful attempt at grabbing the world No 1 spot following a disappointing showing at the men’s World Cup series event in Cairo last weekend. The Olympic champion managed just one win in the individual foil before crashing out in the round of 32 when he lost 15-12 to Vladislav Mylnikov of Russia. Another Hong Kong fencer, Ryan Choi Chun-yin, was beaten by South Korea’s Im Cheolwoo in his round-of-64 match. Both fencers received a bye in the pool stage and went straight to the knockout round, as they are ranked in the world’s top 16. Cheung Ka-long to ‘work harder’ for No 1 ranking after Cairo World Cup Cheung, the world No 2, had a chance to snatch the top spot from Alessio Foconi of Italy if he performed well in the Egyptian capital. “It wasn’t too disappointing,” Zheng said. “Winning or losing in a round-of-32 match is normal. Cheung has the quality of a top-notch fencer, but it does not mean he can perform to his best in every bout. “If he fails to do so, he will lose. It happens to other top fencers. The world No 1 also lost in the round of 32 and you can tell how tough it is in the competition.” Foconi was able to keep hold of the world No 1 spot, extending his lead over Cheung to 15 points from 11 – the Italian now has 207 points in the standings, while the Hongkonger stays at No 2 with 192 points. Foconi will maintain his grip on the top spot for at least another month, as a Grand Prix event set for March in New York was called off by fencing’s world governing body. “The calendar has been interrupted so many times this season but there is little we can do,” coach Zheng said. “Our fencers will continue to go to the United States as the trip has been planned, but only for a training camp before they return to Europe for the next World Cup series in Belgrade in mid April.”