Kaylin Hsieh will fill Vivian Kong’s shoes as Hong Kong’s top epeeist: fencing head coach

Zheng Zhaokang says Hsieh has already achieved much in the sport, and feels the Olympic champion’s departure will not affect the team

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Kaylin Hsieh arrives back in Hong Kong after the successful World University Games in Chengdu last year. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 6:25pm, 11 Nov 2024Updated: 7:49pm, 11 Nov 2024

Hong Kong fencing’s head coach Zheng Zhaokang has tipped Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan – the city’s top female epeeist – to fill the shoes left by the departure of star fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai.

And Zheng also believed that Kong’s decision to walk away from her sport just days after winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics in July, would not leave any lasting or damaging effects on those still on the team.

“I don’t think [Kong’s decision] will affect the team mentally because we have some experienced fencers,” he said. “The likes of Coco Lin and Moonie Chu have been competing for more than 10 years.

“I didn’t think the departure of Kong will have much impact on them.”

In the first women’s épée competition in the new season, all five Hongkongers, including Hsieh, were ousted in the first round of the individual competition at the Fujairah World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Hong Kong’s top female fencers (from left): Moonie Chu, Kaylin Hsieh, Vivian Kong and Coco Lin.

Hong Kong also lost to Romania and were eliminated at the first hurdle in the team event.