Former Youth Sabre Fencer and Musician Jackson Wang Becomes FIE’s First Global Ambassador

Jackson Wang enjoyed a successful elite sporting career before becoming an international music star. A gold medallist at the Asian Junior Championships in sabre, he was also a multiple national champion and Asia’s No. 1 ranked under-17 sabre fencer. He competed at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and was considered one of Hong Kong’s brightest prospects for the London 2012 Olympic Games before deciding to pursue a career in music.

For the artist, this return to his roots carries special meaning. ”I feel like I’ve come full circle and returned to fencing,” he said at the signing ceremony. ”We share a common goal: to help more people discover this sport.”

The FIE hopes to use Wang’s enormous popularity to raise the profile of fencing ahead of the Los Angeles Games. The artist has more than 100 million followers across social media and has established himself as one of the most influential figures in Asian pop culture.

”Jackson is an incredible star. He’s also part of our family,” said Donald Anthony Jr., Executive Vice President of the FIE. ”When he speaks passionately about our sport, people listen.”

The FIE wants to make fencing more accessible and attract a new generation of participants. ”We want to make use of every opportunity available to us on the road to Los Angeles. Jackson can help us reach a broader audience and strengthen the profile of our sport.”

The former fencer also wants to take things one step at a time. ”The ultimate goal is to reach the moon,” he joked. ”But we’re moving forward carefully. The most important thing is taking the first step.”

His priority is straightforward: to help people better understand fencing and showcase just how exciting it is. ”It’s a fun sport. You just don’t know it yet,” he said with a smile.

Entertainment will play a central role in that mission: ”We have some ideas that I can’t talk about just yet,” he teased.

For Jackson Wang, fencing is far more than just a sport. His father, also a sabre fencer, competed at two Olympic Games, while his mother is a former gymnast with the Chinese national team.

The sport has had a profound influence on who he is today. ”Fencing changed my life. It taught me discipline, shaped the way I think and the way I connect with other people. You learn so much about yourself through fencing.”

Donald Anthony Jr. believes the partnership can also help modernise the sport’s image: ”It’s important to introduce fencing to this new generation. This is an opportunity to make our sport more accessible and show people just how much fun it is.”

Jackson Wang will now help connect two generations of Olympians. His father competed at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984. He’ll now accompany the global fencing community on its journey to Los Angeles 2028 – a return to his roots that could mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the sport.