On July 13, the second leg of the 2025 China National Secondary School Fencing League kicked off at Hengyang Mass Fitness Service Center. The event drew 578 athletes from more than 260 secondary schools across the country.

The competition is hosted by the China School Sports Federation and organized by its Fencing Branch, with the support of the Hengyang Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Broadcasting, and Sports, and co-hosted by the Hengyang Mass Fitness Service Center. It is the highest-level fencing event for secondary school students in China.

On the opening day, the junior division individual events took center stage. Young fencers demonstrated striking composure and skill, attacking and defending in rapid succession with blades flashing across the pistes. Applause rose and fell from the stands as the athletes showcased the vibrant competitive spirit and determination of the new generation of students.

According to the organizing committee, all schools and athletes were required to complete online registration via the China Student Sports Information Service System. The competition strictly follows the technical rules of the Chinese Fencing Association and includes foil, épée, and sabre events. Athletes compete in individual (boys’ and girls’ divisions) and team categories, grouped into A, B, and C levels to cover different age groups and skill levels. The tournament will run through July 16.

The successful hosting of this event not only helps raise the overall level of fencing among Chinese secondary school students but also provides a stage for young athletes to showcase their talents and pursue their dreams.

As one of the most dynamic and spectator-friendly traditional sports, fencing in China has produced Olympic champions such as Luan Jujie, Zhong Man, Lei Sheng, and Sun Yiwen. Today, top universities including Tsinghua University and Peking University have their own fencing teams, and Chinese secondary school fencers have frequently excelled in the World Junior Championships.

Translator: Jing