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This season, USA Fencing introduced a new competition format for Cadet, Junior, and Division I events. Instead of putting everyone into one huge tournament, larger NAC events are now divided into two groups: Elite and Challenger. October NAC was my first experience with this system. I competed in Challenger, finished sixth, and earned my first Cadet medal under the new format. And now I might be moving into Elite for November NAC. So I guess the new system is already making a

I went into October NAC feeling pretty confident about Y14. I was seeded 12th, and my pools went well. I won four out of five bouts, which seemed like a good start. Then I lost my first DE, 15–8. I finished 66th. Not exactly what I expected. The opponent I underestimated When I saw who I was fencing in my first DE, I didn't recognize his name. After competing nationally for a few years, you start recognizing a lot of the same fencers. Especially the ones who regularly finish

My notes from the 2026 International Fencing Research Conference (IFRC) One presentation that really surprised me at the IFRC wasn't about new footwork drills or better conditioning. It was about something every fencer has probably experienced without realizing it. Sometimes your feet aren't slow because your legs are tired. Sometimes they're slow because your brain is too busy. The presentation, "Motor-Cognitive Profiling: A Science-Based Approach to Improving Footwork and D

Notes From the International Fencing Research Committee Conference (IFRC) This summer, I signed up for the 2026 IFRC Knowledge Exchange Forum, a virtual conference focused on fencing research. One of the first presentations I watched was called Sleep, Recovery, and Performance in Female Fencers: Unique Physiological and Psychological Considerations, presented by Danielle Kamis and Sudiptho Paul. The presentation focused specifically on female fencers and included some factors

USA Fencing is changing the points and events structure starting in the 2026–2027 season. At first, this sounded like another confusing fencing rule change. But after looking at it more, I think it actually matters a lot for how fencers plan their season. For me, the question is not just: How many tournaments can I fence? The better question is: Which tournaments give me the best chance to improve, earn points, and still have enough time for school, practice, and recovery? Wh

This Summer Nationals, I competed in four events: Cadet, Y14, Division II and Division III. I came home with a bronze medal in DIII.

Before the Cadet SJCC in Las Vegas, I was seeded 63rd out of 171 fencers. That got me thinking about a question: How much does seeding actually tell us about what will happen in a tournament? What Is Seeding? In fencing, seeding is basically a ranking system used to organize a competition. Higher-seeded fencers have usually earned more points through previous results, while lower-seeded fencers are still working their way up the rankings. At first glance, predicting tournamen

Most people think tournament preparation is all about practice. Practice is important, but I've started learning that recovery matters just as much. For the SJCC in Las Vegas, I flew out on Friday after a busy week of school and club practices. Between classes, homework, training, and travel, I could definitely feel the fatigue building up. Then came the five-hour flight. Being tall already makes long flights uncomfortable, and sitting for that long isn't exactly ideal before

Before every tournament, I always double-check my fencing bag. Nothing is worse than arriving at a competition and realizing you forgot something important. For the recent SJCC in Las Vegas, here's what I packed and why. Mask I use a Blue Gauntlet saber mask. It's comfortable, fits well, and has held up through a lot of practices and tournaments. Your mask is one of the most important pieces of equipment, so finding one that fits properly is worth it. Lames I always travel wi

Have you ever watched a fencing match and been in awe of the skill, speed, and precision of the fencers? Below are some tips to get started on your fencing journey