At age 26, Chinese K-pop idol Jackson Wang has already reinvented himself from an Olympic-level athlete to a global pop sensation. 

While other pop stars his age may have chart-topping songs or successful world tours, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/jackson-wang-k-pop-got7-fashion">Jackson Wang</a> has those and more&ndash;namely, a career as a youth&nbsp;Olympic fencer.&nbsp;The <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/jackson-wang-mirrors-k-pop-instagram-got7">26-year-old&nbsp;K-pop figure</a>&nbsp;is most recognized for&nbsp;his involvement in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop%20culture/what-is-k-pop-fashion-blackpink-bts">K-pop</a> boy band <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6nfDaffa50mKtEOwR8g4df">Got7</a>, flourishing solo hip hop career, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficiel.at/en/man/fendi-x-jackson-wang-capsule-collection#image-9441">luxury fashion brand partnerships</a>, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/jackson-wang-k-pop-got7-fashion">L&#39;OFFICIEL Hommes USA cover star</a> got his start as a professional athlete.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

jackson-wang-hong-kong-fencing.jpg

Raised in a household of medal-winning&nbsp;athletes,&nbsp;Wang was destined for sport. His mother, Sophia Chow, is a former gymnast from Shanghai, and his father, Wang Ruji, is an Asian Games gold medalist in fencing.&nbsp;Training with his dad as a teenager, Wang fell in love with fencing and became a fierce competitor. At age 16, Wang became an <a href="https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/features/article/3058112/fighting-form">Olympic-level saber fencer</a> with Hong Kong&rsquo;s official junior fencing team.&nbsp;

Jackson Wang Fencing 

While pursuing the sport, Wang won first place accolades in a variety of competitions, such as the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships. He traveled the world for fencing tournaments and set his sights on making it to the main <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/simone-biles-national-champion-triple-double-usa-gymnastics-2019">Olympic Games</a>. Wang was also offered a sports scholarship from Stanford University in 2011 while preparing for the London Olympics.

Instead of moving to America or going for gold, however, Wang decided to relocate to South Korea and risk it all to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a performer. Even though his parents had doubts about this sudden career change, Wang <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop%20culture/how-well-do-you-really-know-the-jack-of-all-trades-jackson-wang?draft=9aeac8e2-6d57-4364-9d85-017d67a8694b&amp;updated_at=1603391668">said</a> that he didn&#39;t want to have any regrets, and realized that his passion was in singing.&nbsp;Soon, he was putting his footwork to use on the stage alongside K-pop boy group <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6nfDaffa50mKtEOwR8g4df">Got7</a>&nbsp;and on his way to becoming a global star.&nbsp;

Why Jackson Wang Turned Down the Olympics to Become a K-Pop Star

L'OFFICIEL USA December 2024 - Julianne Moore Cover

Why Jackson Wang Turned Down the Olympics to Become a K-Pop Star

Tags

Related Articles

Pop culture

The 5 Most Fashionable K-Pop Groups

Music

Who is Jackson Wang? The Chinese K-Pop Star Breaking Boundaries

Music

Hong Kong Rapper and K-Pop Star Jackson Wang for L'OFFICIEL Hommes Fall 2020

Recommended posts for you

Pop culture

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly Call It Quits

Fashion

Eternal Treasures: New Icons From Tiffany & Co. Meet Their Archival Counterparts

Shopping

23 Holiday-Ready Pieces to Nail Your Festive Season Outfits

Shopping

24 Stocking Stuffers They Won't Regift

Pop culture

All the Celebrities Spotted at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024

Shopping

35 Gifts Your Fashion-Forward Friend Actually Wants

Shopping

The Ultimate Winter Fragrances to Keep in Rotation

Shopping

27 Splurge Gifts to Treat Yourself This Holiday Season