I was really moved when Hong Kong won, says Rex Tso after reaching Olympic qualifying quarter-finals
- The 32-year-old ‘Wonder Kid’ is pleased to have cleared his first hurdle in the qualifiers for Tokyo
- Former professional thanks Hong Kong fans for their support on social media
Hong Kong boxer Rex Tso Sing-yu said he was “really moved” after reaching the quarter-finals of the Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Amman, Jordan. And he thanked fans on social media for lifting his spirits and giving him the strength to carry on.
The former unbeaten professional, who reverted to amateur status more than two years ago, had his first taste of Olympic competition, and he couldn’t be happier with the experience, defeating Tajikistan’s Bakhtovar Sagizov to advance to the last eight of the featherweight (57kg) competition held at the Prince Hamzah Hall.
The 32-year-old must stay sharp if he is to reach the semi-finals, which would be good enough to seal his place for Tokyo, but he has a tough task against world featherweight champion Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov, who is the No 1 seed in Amman. The bout is scheduled for early Tuesday morning, with a start time around 2am, depending on how fast the other bouts are completed. Tso’s bout is ninth on the card.
“After the first round, I heard that I won points and I was getting excited but I had to remain calm. I had to wait for the judges’ decision and when I heard that Hong Kong won, I was really moved. I was so touched. It was really a joyful moment for me that Hong Kong won,” said Tso, who received a first-round bye in the competition.
Hong Kong boxer Rex Tso wins first bout in Asia/Oceania qualifiers but takes on world champion next
Although Tso fought in front of a near empty stadium, Hong Kong’s finest boxer received support from the Taiwan camp, who cheered him on and he got a lift from all his fans in Hong Kong, many of whom watched his fight live on the Olympic channel.
However, the “Wonder Kid” faces his stiffest test yet against 25-year-old Mirzakhalilov, who is also the Asian champion, and Tso said he will try to do his best, saying he had no fixed plan on how to deal with his younger opponent from Uzbekistan on Monday.
“I really haven’t thought of any game plan [to deal with him]. All I can say is that I will continue to fight hard. He’s the world champion but if I perform to the best of my abilities, I can do well. Whether I win or lose, it doesn’t matter as long as I tried my best.”
Tso’s Olympic campaign received plenty of support from Hong Kong netizens, which made the one-time World Boxing Organisation (WBO) No 1 ranked contender even more touched by it all.
“I saw many friends cheering for me on IG [Instagram] yesterday. Thank you very much for supporting me. I will definitely continue to work hard!”
‘I hope to return with good news’: Boxing star Rex Tso flies to Jordan for Olympic qualifiers after switch from coronavirus epicentre Wuhan
Tso cleared his opening hurdle by split decision in a qualifying tournament that had been moved from coronavirus-hit Wuhan in January. If Tso loses his next bout on Monday, he will have another chance on Wednesday in the fifth and sixth place play-off. Losing that he will have one last chance when boxers take part in a World Olympic Qualification Event in Paris from May 13-20.
Tso is aiming to become the first Hong Kong boxer in 56 years to take part in the Olympics since the 1964 Tokyo Games when Law Hon-pak and Lee Kam-wah represented the then-Colony.
