Fung was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada.[2] She was part of her elementary school gymnastics club. One of her teachers noticed her level of skill and suggested she try rhythmic gymnastics.[3] She began training in the sport in 1976.[4] She is of Chinese descent on her Father's side and of Japanese descent on her Mother's side.
Career
She was a three-time Canadian rhythmic gymnastics champion prior to her Olympic debut in 1984. The year before the Olympics, she placed 23rd at the world championships, but was able to raise her ranking in subsequent meets in order to qualify for the games.[2]
Rhythmic gymnastics was officially added as an Olympic sport at the 1984 Olympic Games. That year, the gymnasts from Bulgaria and USSR were favored to win, but the Eastern led Boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics meant the top gymnasts were absent from the competition. Fung trained with Romanian rhythmic gymnast Doina Stăiculescu who was, as a result of the boycott, the highest ranking rhythmic gymnast competing at the inaugural Olympic event. Fung finished in third place during qualification behind Stăiculescu and her Romanian teammate, Aline Dragan, who finished first and second respectively. In the final, Fung upset the Romanian team to become the first gymnast to win an Olympic gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics.[5]
Fung retired from competition in 1988.[1][6] She went on to become a coach, including a role as national team coach for Canada, and to co-own a Vancouver gymnastics club.[4]
Personal life
Fung married Dean Methorst in 1996.[7] They have three children.[3]
Honours
In 1985, she was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.[8]
