Fencing is experiencing a surge in popularity in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region following the region's unprecedented success at the Paris Olympics.
Fencers Edgar Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong Man-wai both struck gold in the French capital, the most that Hong Kong has won in a single sports category.
The remarkable result has further boosted the confidence and enthusiasm of the region's fencing senior, Lau Kwok-kin, who won a bronze medal at the 2006 Asian Games and 2010 Asian Games in the men's foil team competition
The 47-year-old was also the first fencer ever from the region to qualify for the Olympics in 2004, and he participated in the 2008 Beijing Games as well.
Now, he works as a full time instructor at a fencing school, nurturing the next generation of fencing talent Hong Kong has to offer.
"There are many fencing schools in Hong Kong now, about 30 to 40. This vigorous development has made more young fencers willing to play it, and the chances of fostering talented and good athletes have increased a lot," he said.
Nine-year-old Alvin Tse is among the region's ambitious young fencers. After beginning a year and a half ago, he now trains four times a week and has set high sights for himself.
Tse said his ultimate goal is to compete at the Olympics and win a medal through great effort and training.
According to his school, it has seen a fivefold increase in interest in studying fencing compared to before the Olympics, especially among girls.
Lau, who coached both Kong and Cheung at the World University Games in Chengdu, says he is proud of what they have achieved.
"Vivian Kong and Edgar Cheung are both world-class fencers. They have to bear a lot of pressure. Normally, they would be more conservative when they are behind, but they are brave enough to win back points at the right time. I think their psychological control is very good, indeed world-class, and they can perform well even under great pressure," said Lau.
Fencers' golds at Paris Olympics spur learning craze in Hong Kong
