Tokyo Olympics: Feng Tianwei opens 4th Games campaign with win
Reporting from Tokyo
TOKYO — Singapore paddler Feng Tianwei kickstarted her fourth Olympic appearance with a 4-1 (8-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-2, 11-4) victory over Spain's Maria Xiao in her women's singles competition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Monday (26 July).
With the win, the 34-year-old advanced into the round-of-16, where she faces either Germany's Han Ying or Australia's Lay Jian Fang.
Her fellow women's paddler Yu Mengyu will hope to join her in the round of 16 on Tuesday morning, as she attempts to negotiate a tough tie against world No. 8 Cheng I-ching of Taiwan.
Feng is Singapore's most bemedalled Olympian with three medals - one silver and two bronzes - over her past three appearances.
Minister offers encouragement for eliminated Singapore Olympians
Meanwhile, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong offered encouragement for Team Singapore athletes who were eliminated from their competitions.
Fencer Amita Berthier, equestrienne Caroline Chew and paddler Clarence Chew could not advance further in their respective events, thereby ending their participation at the Tokyo Games on Sunday.
Tong said in a Facebook post on Monday, "Winning is not everything, and we also learn so much in defeat. I believe our athletes who were defeated will pick themselves up and come back even better."
"I know that they will not let this setback define their Olympic journey. If anything, this is only the start. They will return. Stronger, better, faster."
The minister was set to arrive in Tokyo on Monday to support the Singapore athletes in person.
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