Chongqing - On August 20, the 2024 National Fencing Championship (Finals) opened at the Chongqing International Expo Center in Southwest China's Chongqing. Nearly 1,000 top fencing athletes from provincial regions across China have gathered in Chongqing to compete for the prestigious national fencing title.

On August 20, the 2024 National Fencing Championship (Finals) opened at the Chongqing International Expo Center in Southwest China's Chongqing. (Photo/The event organizer)

A grand event in Chongqing

The championship from August 20 to August 26 is one of China's largest, highest-level, and most influential fencing events. It marks a significant milestone for Chongqing's fencing community and broader sports development. 

Wang Junyan, Deputy Director of the National Cycling and Fencing Sports Management Center and Vice President and Secretary-General of the Chinese Fencing Association remarked at the opening ceremony, "I have witnessed Chongqing's fencing develop from nothing to a strong presence. By last year, the city had established professional foil, epee, and saber teams, creating the most advanced fencing center in Chongqing and western China. I hope Chongqing will continue excelling in domestic and international events through collaborations with advanced provinces and cities and focusing on local talent development, thereby further enhancing the city’s fencing standards."

Top-level competition

The 2024 National Fencing Championship (Finals) is the climactic event of the year. It features 52 teams and nearly 1,000 athletes competing in individual and team events across foil, epee, and saber disciplines. The competition includes both senior and junior categories, showcasing top-level skills across all age groups. 

Luo Pingbei, Chairman of the Chinese Fencing Association's Referee Committee, advised competitors to focus on their tactics and strategic thinking. "Fencing requires tactical acumen; without focus and thought, success is difficult to achieve. Mastering speed, strength, timing, and distance will reveal that fencing offers more than just victory or defeat - it provides valuable life lessons."

Ye Chong shared insights with the athletes, Chinese foil fencers, emphasizing that fencing is not merely about speed and strength but also mental resilience and courage. Ye praised Chongqing's development in hosting events and expressed hope that the innovative "exhibition + sports" model would foster greater integration and inspire more youth to engage in fencing. 

Chinese foil fencer Ye Chong. (Photo/The event organizer)

A platform for growth

Since 2016, the National Fencing Championship has been held in seven different cities, making it a comprehensive assessment of the development of fencing in China and a crucial opportunity to integrate sports with local culture. 

Li Na, who won the epee team gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, offered a unique perspective on the event's significance, "Fencing is not just a sport; it symbolizes spirit, courage, wisdom, and etiquette, which align with Chongqing's unique mountainous culture and indomitable urban spirit. I believe this event will inject new vitality into Chongqing's sports culture."

Li Na won the epee team gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. (Photo/The event organizer)

As the host of this event, Chongqing's recent investment and development in fencing have been remarkable. Statistics show that since 2018, the number of registered fencers in Chongqing has increased nearly threefold.