After clinching the gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, Hong Kong epee fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai, known for her ever-present bright smile, burst into tears, exclaiming, “I’m finally not losing anymore!”
After embarking on her fencing journey at 11, Kong finally clinched her first Olympic gold medal at 30. Before this triumph, the world’s No 1 epeeist had tasted victory numerous times but had fallen short of an Olympic medal in her two previous appearances.
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Her victory also marks the second Olympic gold medal claimed by fencers from the Hong Kong, China team, and the third gold in the city’s Olympic history.
Kong’s passion for fencing originated in a conflict with her family.
As the only child in her family, her mother nurtured Kong from a young age, hoping that she would do something “more graceful and elegant”, such as dance. However, Kong favored confrontational sports, such as taekwondo.
Amid arguments, her father proposed fencing — a discipline often described as “the ballet in sports”.
At 11, Kong took up fencing.
Her first fencing teacher Chan Weijing recalled young Kong possessed three notable strengths in learning fencing: long arms, rapid reflexes, and exceptional receptivity. She was also left-handed, which gave her an advantage as left-handed fencers often exhibit more heightened reflexes.
“She is gifted,” Chan said.
Kong found her passion. “I chose fencing, which disappointed my mother for the first time,” Kong said.
Each day, Kong practiced fencing after her studies. She would immerse herself in practice sessions after school and often wake up at 5 am the next day to do her homework. During international competitions, she would work on her assignments while on airplanes.
In just two years, Kong became the fencing champion of the National Junior Championships in the under-17 category. Additionally, she clinched the Outstanding Junior Athlete Award twice, an esteemed accolade for young athletes in Hong Kong.
Despite her success, Kong did not opt to pursue a full-time athletic career at that time.
Coming from a relatively conventional family, her parents and relatives regarded academic study as the priority, and saw fencing as merely a recreational pursuit.
When she departed for fencing practice, her relatives often asked, “Haven’t you had your fill of play?” or “When will you prioritize something more serious?”
To reassure her family, she maintained an excellent academic performance.
During her secondary school years at ESF Sha Tin College, she scored 41 out of 45 points in the IB program. In 2012, she ventured to Stanford University in the United States, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a minor in psychology. Her academic journey at Stanford University began in 2012, focusing on international relations with a minor in psychology.
Subsequently, she pursued a master of law degree at Renmin University of China. In September 2021, she embarked on a doctor of law program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
In 2012, Kong qualified for the London Olympics, but she gave up the opportunity to pursue her university education. That year, when witnessing her fencing team member engage in the Olympic Games online, 18-year-old Kong was stirred with a strong desire to compete on that stage. This fervor led her to compete in the Olympics for the first time in Rio De Janeiro in 2016, when she reached the round of 16.
In 2017, Wong endured a ruptured cruciate ligament in her left knee.
After the injury, Kong’s first concern centered on one question: “What if I can never fence again?” This moment served as a profound realization for her — she found that fencing is the most important career in her life. For a long time, she harbored regrets that she had not dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the sport previously.
“When I find what I love the most, I must remain steadfast in that pursuit,” she said.
Instead of becoming an elite lawyer with a steady income and decent job, Kong became a full-time athlete who would often experience failure and injury. “This was the second time I’ve let my mother down,” Kong said.
Kong prioritized her recovery above all else. Recognizing that vegetarian foods like seaweed, turmeric, and fungi can help heal wounds, she transitioned to a complete vegetarian diet to accelerate her healing process. Kong is still a vegetarian today.
Following her recuperation, she intensified her training. In 2019, she reentered the competitions and became the world champion for the first time.
But just at that height, an old cruciate ligament injury in her right knee resurfaced, necessitating immediate surgery.
Her mother, who worried about Kong’s pain, shed tears and suggested Kong retire. Resolute in her decision to persevere, Kong opted to remain in the sport.
“This was the third time I’ve disappointed my mother,” Kong said.
This knee ailment, occurring before the Tokyo Olympics, directly affected the competition’s outcomes. Initially viewed as the front-runner for a medal, Kong ultimately bowed out in the quarterfinals. While being interviewed after the competition, Kong said sorry to Hong Kong residents many times.
Shortly after the Olympics, Kong participated in the 14th National Games of China in Shaanxi province in 2021. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, she had to quarantine in a hotel for 21 days.
“With no internet and a broken TV in the hotel, I did not seek repairs as I just wanted to punish myself. I thought a lot during that time and kept reflecting on my loss. I asked myself: What could I have done better, and how can I reignite my competitive spirit for future tournaments?”
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Gradually recovering from her injuries, Kong restarted training and reentered competitions. By 2023, she had reclaimed the world No 1 ranking.
In the Paris Olympic Games, Kong triumphed over opponents from Egypt, the United States, Ukraine, and Estonia before facing off against French favorite Auriane Mallo-Breton in the finals.
Amid the fervent support of the French audience for their home player, with even the president of France in attendance to cheer for her opponent, Kong encountered unprecedented pressure in the competition. Initially trailing 1:7, Kong maintained her composure, rallying to level the match at 12:12. In overtime, she clinched victory with a decisive strike, achieving a turnaround.
At that moment, countless Hong Kong supporters screamed and shed tears for her.
Even other players competing in Paris were moved by her resilience.
Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi Kem, a Hong Kong table tennis mixed doubles duo, initially found themselves trailing in the quarterfinals against the Spanish team but eventually secured victory. After the competition, during the interview, Doo said that Kong’s spirit inspired them a lot.
“Kong’s spirit reminds us that everything is possible before the very end,” Doo said.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu also extended his wishes to Kong, saying that her performance epitomized the indomitable “Hong Kong spirit” of unwavering perseverance.
During an interview, when asked about how she could turn the situation around during the competition, Kong replied, “I just don’t want to lose so badly.” However, her coach, Octavian-Petru Zidaru, known as Tavi from Romania, who had guided Kong for many years, knew how many sacrifices Kong had made.
“She faced a challenging path, enduring injuries and persevering through pain every step of the way,” Zidaru said.
“I am truly proud of her.”
