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“A Lonely Fencing Mask”
I was once a lonely mask sitting on an empty shelf, where my fellow masks once sat. I was nothing special until the day I met 11-year-old Vivian Kong.
After Vivian’s first fencing lesson with me, she felt like she had found her calling in life: to be a fencing athlete. From then on, she would train for exhausting hours. Without complaint, she soldiered on.
Years later, Vivian took her first big step by representing Hong Kong at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Despite Vivian’s perseverance, she missed a place on the podium. It happened again in Tokyo!
I was devastated when I felt her clammy tears of disappointment brushing against me. My owner certainly deserved better! But these setbacks didn’t drain Vivian’s passion for fencing. She journeyed from rock bottom, preserving her dream and preparing herself for the Paris Olympics.
On the big day, I accompanied my owner during the fencing competition in an opulent palace, sending her silent encouragement every time she scored a point. Round after round, Vivian fought for a place in the finals.
Then, it was the final match. Blood astir, Vivian and I walked down the palace stairs, ready to face our competitor: home-grown favourite Auriane Mallo. At first, Vivian was behind. But she soon overcame her deficit, securing Hong Kong’s third-ever gold medal!
Watching proudly as the gold medal was draped on her neck and the flag of Hong Kong rose steadily higher, vivid memories flooded my mind. From the initial time of frustration to this moment of success, I wholeheartedly rejoiced for my owner.
