Exclusive | Paris Olympics: Hongkonger Vivian Kong to take break before deciding on Games gold defence
- City’s newest star says she devoted ‘every day’ and had reached a literal breaking point during her gruelling three-year preparation for Paris
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Fencer Vivian Kong wins Hong Kong’s 1st gold medal at Paris Olympics
Vivian Kong Man-wai said she would weigh up her fencing future after she returns to Hong Kong from her extraordinary Paris Olympics exploits.
Épéeist Kong’s remarkable surge to gold last weekend prompted an outpouring of jubilation in her home city. The 30-year-old acknowledged she hadn’t grasped the depth of reaction from around 9,500 kilometres away in the French capital, but underlined her gratitude for Hongkongers’ fervent support.
Asked if she had a message for those who were glued to her competition well into Sunday’s small hours, Kong said: “Thank you for everything, I feel very loved. Thank you for staying up, for crying with me and for feeling happy with me.”
Kong acknowledged she was not ready for what was going to happen when she touches back down in the city Thursday.
If and when the dust settles, Kong will begin considering whether she wants to defend her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I’ll take a good break, then I’ll think about it,” said Kong, who also competed in the 2016 and 2020 Games. “I feel like I’m still thinking about training [that she did for Paris], and I don’t want to think about the next one.”