Joel Chiu (Foil)

I believe the making of a champion starts from within.

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Before the footwork, the blade work, before any of that, it starts with knowing who you are. What drives you, what fazes you, what you are feeling under pressure. That kind of self-awareness is not something you are born with. It is something you develop, and it changes everything about how you compete, on and off the piste.

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Emotions are part of the game. The frustration of a lost touch, the nerves before a big bout, the doubt that creeps in when things are not going your way — I do not ask my fencers to suppress any of that. I ask them to understand it, manage it, and use it. Understand your weaknesses and capitalise on your strengths. 

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And underneath all of it, hard work. I have always believed that the athlete who shows up every day with purpose and determination will, in time, outgrow the one who relies on talent alone. Talent gets you started. Character is what carries you.

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Set your goals. Put in the work. Execute.

That is how champions are made.