Hong Kong aiming for team success in Incheon

Hong Kong star Chan Yui Chong says her country will be disappointed not to be amongst the medals in the wheelchair fencing team event at the Asian Para Games. 29 Sep 2014
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Chan Yui Chong

Hong Kong's Chan Yui Chong has already accumulated six Paralympic medals in her Wheelchair Fencing career.

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By Michael Stuart | for the IPC

"The competition level will be quite high, similar to a Paralympic Games even"

Hong Kong’s Chan Yui Chong has stated that her country have team gold in their sights when the top Asian wheelchair fencers take to the piste for the Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games in the South Korea, between 18-24 October.

Competition will be tough, but even when compared with the best in the world, Hong Kong have a strong squad of wheelchair fencers to draw from.

With herself and seven-time Paralympic champion Yu Chui Yee in their ranks, the women's team in particular is expected to challenge for titles in South Korea.

But Chong admits that they will be disappointed if they are not among the medals in team competition.

"We have set our goal for the team events as the finals" she explained. "We will try our best to make that happen".

For the 31-year-old, the event will have a special significance.

It was in South Korea, at the 2002 Far East and South Pacific Games in Busan, that Chong made her international wheelchair fencing debut, starting a journey that would see her win three gold and one silver medal at Athens 2004, two golds at Beijing 2008 and one silver at London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Fast forward 12 years, and Chong is now looking forward to returning to where her sporting career really took off.

"I love Korean culture, the people are kind and friendly," said the five-time Paralympic champion.

The event will feature several Paralympic medal winners, and Chong says she will need to be on top form if she is to be amongst the medals.

"The competition level will be quite high, similar to a Paralympic Games even," explained Chong, who will compete in both the category B epee and foil events. "There are some really strong fencers in my class, particularly from China and Thailand."

In the unlikely event that results do not go the way of the Hong Kong athlete, she will not have far to go for support, having married teammate Tam Chik Sum at the start of the year.

The double Paralympic champion gives the impression that she also thinks of her other teammates as family and says the team spirit will not be dampened and they will celebrate the results in Incheon "no matter whether we win or not."

However, given the strength of the Hong Kong team, it is likely Chong will have plenty of reason to cheer.