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Chinese Hongkong's gold medalist Yu
Chuiyee waves to spectators in the awarding ceremony for the women's
individual foil category A of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games wheelchair
fencing event in Beijing, Sept. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo
Gallery>>> |
BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Hong Kong women
fencers stole the limelight as they took all the two gold medals on offer on
Tuesday's wheelchair fencing competitions at the Beijing Paralympics, ending
China's gold medal monopoly on Monday.
After Tuesday's events, China led the medal standings
with five golds, five silvers and one bronze. Capping two golds on Tuesday,
Chinese Hong Kong won three golds, one silver and two bronze to stay in the
second place. Belarus and France shared the third position with one silver
apiece.
In women's individual foil Category A, Yu Chui-yee of
Chinese Hong Kong did not let the winning chance slip away again when she faced
Zhang Chuncui of China again in the final.
"I'm very happy to win the gold medal in my home
country, which is my proudest moment of my life. I give my thanks to the Chinese
audience for their support," Yu told the press.
World No. 1 Yu suffered a shock defeat in the epee
Cat. A final on Monday.
The 24-year-old Yu showed strong winning
determination in foil as she made a brave recovery after she trailed Zhang 5-10,
turning the table 13-12. Though both of the foilists tied at 13-all, Yu
continued her momentum to win two decisive points, upsetting Zhang 15-13 to make
amends.
"When I was left behind at the beginning of the bout,
I concentrated on the match and wanted to catch up with Zhang, calmly and step
by step."
Yu is a first year post-graduate student in the Hong
Kong Chinese University, majoring in sports administration.
"When I get tired of training, I can read books and
study. I chose this major because I want to do something for the disabled," she
added.
"Yu is a very experienced player and I'm simply not
as good as her," said Zhang.
The world No. 2 Sabrina Poignet of France was
defeated by Fan Pui-shan of Chinese Hong Kong, giving Fan her second bronze
medal.
Fan won the bronze medal in Epee Cat. A on
Monday.
In women's individual epee Category B, Chan Yui-chong
of Chinese Hong Kong, gold medalist in foil Cat. B, never looked threatened in
epee Cat. B when she met Yao Fang of China, silver medalist in foil Cat. B again
in the final.
World's top-ranked Chan was sure to win her second
gold in Beijing as she made no room for the 36-year-old Yao to overcome her
15-12 with stunning fast hits.
"It's much tougher than the gold at Athens 2004
Paralympic Games. At that time, there were no strong rivals like these Chinese
fencers," Chan said.
One of the four medals Chan won at Athens Paralympics
was the silver in epee Cat. B and the 25-year-old was also the epee and foil
champion at the 2006 world championships in Turin, Italy.
"I'm over-excited this time. I tried to tell my
coach, 'Don't hug me', it's hard to calm down," Chan added.
"I'd like to thank my parents in particular. They've
devoted so much to me all of these years. This medal is finally my thanks to
them," Yao said.
"I will keep practicing to be prepared for the London
2012 Paralympic Games. I will take my revenge there."
The 34-year-old Saysunee Jana of Thailand eased to a
victory over Liudmila Vasilyeva of Russia 15-8 to take the bronze.
The wheelchair fencing competition, slated for
Sept.14-17 at the Beijing Paralympics, attracted 88 players from 19 countries
and regions to compete in individual categories A and B of men's foil, epee and
sabre and women's foil and epee.