Thriving rivalries

Fencing

The fencing competitions at the Asian Games are simply world-class, with a number of Olympic and world champions in action across all three disciplines.

Japan's Misaki Emura, for instance, arrives in Hangzhou fresh from victory at the world championships in Milan, where she won the women's individual saber.

The Republic of Korea's saber athletes are also considered major medal contenders after collecting men's team silver and women's team bronze at the worlds in July.

In the epee, Chinese Olympic champion Sun Yiwen will again be on the medal trail after winning bronze in Milan. The Koreans are also strong in the epee, having won women's team bronze at the worlds.

The men's foil competition also promises to be tightly contested. In Milan, Japan topped the podium in the team event ahead of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, China. Fans are anticipating another fierce battle in Hangzhou, with all eyes on Olympic champion, Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long, after his individual gold at the World University Games in Chengdu last month.