Hong Kong's Vivian Kong

Vivian Kong Man-wai, Hong Kong's Olympic gold medalist in fencing, has announced her retirement from professional fencing after nearly 20 years in the sport. Following her historic victory in the individual epee event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kong expressed gratitude for her journey and revealed plans to start a new career and establish a charity aimed at helping children find joy in sports. In her farewell post, she reflected on her experiences across three Olympics and thanked her supporters, stating, 'I will miss my fencing family so much, but once a fencer, always a fencer.' Experts believe her retirement could pave the way for a new generation of fencers in Hong Kong, as the city continues to invest in the sport's development. The funding for elite fencers has significantly increased in recent years, fostering a more robust training environment. As Kong transitions from athlete to philanthropist, the fencing community looks forward to her contributions beyond the sport.