Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong regains world No 1 ranking with Colombia grand prix win

Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai has regained her No 1 world ranking in women’s épée after winning gold at a grand prix event in Colombia.

Facing world No 3 Marie-Florence Candyssamy of France in the final on Sunday, 29-year-old Kong defeated the 32-year-old 15-8, claiming her first-ever gold in a grand prix.

Kong was the first fencer from Hong Kong to reach the top spot when she did so in 2019. Her triumph on Sunday will see the fencer overtake top-ranked Song Se-ra of South Korea.

Kong is expected to again compete in the World Cup series event that takes place in Fujairah, in the United Arab Emirates later this month.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, congratulated Kong on ascending to the world's number one in women's épée again.

He said Kong wrote a glorious page in Hong Kong's fencing history by taking the top slot in the world ranking once again.

“It is very encouraging to see Hong Kong's homegrown athletes ranking among the best in the world. I am sure all citizens in Hong Kong are proud of Vivian Kong's hard work along the way,” Yeung added.