Vivian Kong looking to end Siobhan Haughey’s dominance at Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards
Haughey has won the award for the past three consecutive years, but Kong’s stunning performance in Paris Olympics makes her a strong contender
Vivian Kong Man-wai could end Siobhan Haughey’s dominance of the women’s Best of the Best award after nominations for the Cathay 2024 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards opened on Monday.
Haughey has won the award for three consecutive years, but Kong’s stunning performance at the Paris Olympics, where she became the city’s first women’s fencer to win a gold medal, makes her a strong contender.
It would be foolish to discount Haughey, however. Her two bronze medals in the French capital earlier this year meant the 27-year-old is the only Hongkonger with more than two medals at the Olympics, having also clinched two silvers in her stronghold events – women’s 100 and 200 metres freestyle in Tokyo in 2021.
Double Olympic gold medallist Cheung Ka-long, meanwhile, is expected to retain his Best of the Best men’s crown like he did his foil gold medal in Paris.
National Sports Associations have until January 10 to nominate athletes in four categories, which are unchanged from last year: there are awards for men, women, team events (such as doubles and pairs) and team sport (such as rugby or football), with the winners crowned on April 17 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
After names are put forward by the associations, a public vote will take place between February 10 and March 9, with votes by officials and media also being held.
