Vivian Kong: A gold medalist's journey through sports and academia

Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong Man Wai made history at the Paris Olympics, clinching a gold medal by defeating French fencer Marie Poutot 13-12.

This victory marked her third Olympic appearance and her first time standing on the Olympic podium, bringing home Hong Kong's first gold medal of the Games.

Beyond her athletic achievements, there are many lesser-known facets of Kong's life, including her early training in taekwondo and ballet, showcasing her as a well-rounded individual.

Vivian Kong at a Glance:

• Born: February 8, 1994
• Height: 1.78 Meters
• Weight: 58 Kilograms
• Current World Ranking: Women's Épée Individual Event World No. 1
• Instagram Followers: Over 200,000
• Olympic Participation: 3rd Time
• 2016 Rio Olympics: Reached Round of 16
• 2021 Tokyo Olympics: Reached Quarterfinals
• 2024 Paris Olympics: Gold Medal in Women's Épée

Before discovering fencing at age 11, Vivian Kong was involved in taekwondo and ballet. As the only daughter in her family, her mother hoped to cultivate her into an elegant young lady, enrolling her in ballet classes. However, Kong cried during her first dance class. Later, she expressed a desire to learn taekwondo after seeing a class next door. Although her mother was reluctant, she supported Kong's wish and sought other "elegant sports," such as figure skating, which Kong practiced for six years.

In addition to sports, Kong has explored various artistic pursuits, including playing the guzheng, painting, and piano. She began piano lessons at the age of three, admitting that she didn't enjoy playing as a child but grew to love it more as she matured. Particularly before fencing competitions, playing the piano helps her relieve stress and practice the concept of "unity of man and sword."

In 2012, Kong adopted a "seafood vegetarian" diet, transitioning to a fully vegan lifestyle in 2017. She has also served as an ambassador for a local non-profit charity, volunteering during the pandemic by visiting families and packaging care bags for healthcare workers.

During her secondary education, Kong attended the English Schools Foundation's Sha Tin College, achieving an impressive 41 out of 45 scores in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. In 2012, she enrolled at Stanford University in the United States, earning a bachelor's degree in International Relations with a minor in Psychology.

She later pursued a Master's in Law at Renmin University of China and began her PhD in Law at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in September 2021.

Regarding the future plan, Kong aims to work for the United Nations and contribute to global peace efforts. She has even visited the UN office in Switzerland to explore this aspiration further.