Asian Games: Kong struggles with weight of medal expectations as pressure mounts
- Women’s world No 2 Vivian Kong is among the favourites to win the épée event in Hangzhou
- With the Asian Championship already under her belt, the 29-year-old is hoping to improve on the bronze she won a the 2018 Games
Vivian Kong Man-wai said she was still learning to deal with the weight of expectation accompanying her as one of Hong Kong’s main medal hopes at this month’s Asian Games.
The women’s world No 2 has had a mixed season on the fencing circuit, winning épée gold at the Asian Championships, but losing in the quarter-finals of the World Championships.
Other podium finishes during the season, including victory at the Grand Prix in Colombia, have put her among the favourites to win the individual event in Hangzhou and she will also be expected to guide Hong Kong to glory in the team competition.
Having won bronze at the past two Games, in Incheon in 2014 and Jakarta five years ago, Kong is under added pressure to improve this time around.
“My results had been steady this past season,” the 29-year-old said. “I now have more expectations for myself and it’s getting difficult to get satisfaction with just any performance at those tournaments.
“So, my biggest learning this year was to control things I can. Be that technique, the physical or the psychological aspects, the target is to do all the things I need to.”
