Kaylin Hsieh has become the third Hong Kong fencer in history to win a Grand Prix, after defeating world number six Nelli Differt in the women's epée final in Doha.

Hsieh, 23, beat the Estonian 15-7 on Monday for her first victory against the 34-year-old in six attempts.

The SAR fencer joins Olympic gold medallists Edgar Cheung and Vivian Kong in winning a Grand Prix for Hong Kong, China.

Hsieh wrote on social media that she started the competition with a cold and struggled to find rhythm, but decided to try to fight through it to see how far she could go.

"Sometimes life throws challenges at you when you least expect it and you just have to find a way to push through," she wrote, calling her triumph an unforgettable moment.

"This gold medal is not just a milestone for me. It's a reminder of the power of resilience and mindset."

Hsieh, currently ranked 28th in the world, last topped a podium in international competition in the under-17 World Championships in 2018.

She snatched a bronze at the World Cup in Vancouver last November.

Hsieh represented the SAR in her Olympic debut in Tokyo.

She was an individual and team champion representing the University of Notre Dame in the US during the 2022 NCAA fencing tournament.