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.
(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2008)