About KUEFI


Jimi Kyuyoung Jung Chairman, Korea USA Elite Fencing Invitational Committee President, Korea Collegiate Fencing Federation International President, Stanford Fencing Association	To our beloved fencers, distinguished collegiate fencing staffs, our dear sponsors, and Incheon City Mayor MR. Song Young-Gil and the city officials: Following last year’s successful KUEFI event, we are gathered once again with clear goals: 1. To raise awareness about fencing’s educational advantages and its benefits for character development 2. To build mutual respect and friendship between the US and Korean collegiate fencers and their staffs 3. To ensure healthy growth of the sport of fencing and strengthen US and Korean collegiate fencing programs We held our very first KUEFI in August, 2011, and I emphasized at the time that in order to achieve the goals, we need to promote “Beauty of Fencing”. I also said “Beauty of Fencing” is not something that you need to look for or special, but it is in you. Like last year, I have another earnest request for you. Since this moment, as you participate in any fencing tournaments, please demonstrate good sportsmanship. This is the best way to promote the sport of fencing. Also, since fencing has a large subjective component, our sportsmanship and fair judgment are essential. There is no room for injustice and controversy in our efforts to promote the beauty of fencing and please remember to set examples of sportsmanship through fair play and respect. Such values of sportsmanship are fundamental and vital in our lives as well. As I promised last year, we have been working very hard to make this year’s KUEFI more enjoyable than last year. I hope you all have great time. All the collegiate fencers and honored guests: let us share our friendship and “Beauty of Fencing” together! Thank you very much. Thank you very much.



Song Young-Gil Mayor, Incheon Metropolitan City	First of all, I extend to you my heartiest congratulations about KUEFI 2012. Korean National Fencing Team has brought home a wonderful result from 2012 London Olympics with 2 gold medals, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals. I would like to thank and congratulate 17 national team members. The miraculous result in this past Olympics was not just from the luck. Starting from Young-Ho Kim’s gold medal and Sang-Ki Lee’s bronze medal in 2000 Sydney Olympics, and Hyun-Hee Nam’s silver medal in 2008 Beijing Olympics, Korea Fencing was ready to achieve these kinds of result with hard works. It was the ‘Speed’ of our fencers that surprised the world. Koreans overcame the physical weaknesses with faster footwork. The only way to install the footwork was through hard-training and the hard work paid with glory in London. The main reason why this unpopular sport was able to bring miraculous result was because of your supports. Student-athletes, coaches and supporters of fencing are the heroes of 2012 London Olympics. I am very happy to host KUEFI 2012 in Incheon especially during this time period. I hope this invitational would be the one of the most memorable events in your career. Also, I want both US and Korea collegiate fencers and their staff to build friendship through KUEFI 2012. Special thanks to the chairman of KUEFI committee Jimi Jung and all the other staff that help this event successful. Thank you,



Kae Ju Lee CEO, Hwaseung Corporation	Hello My name is Kae Ju Lee and I am the ceo of Hwaseung. Through this KUEFI 2012 tournament on the SUNY campus and recent success in the 2012 london olympics, the sport of fencing is beginning to make its presence in Korea's sports realm. Fencing is a unique sport that is aggressive but also emphasizes manners. Rapid changes in direction, and quick but accurate footwork lead to a victory. The Born to Kill fencing line up recently released by Lecaf, took a year along with hundreds of tests with Sydney gold medalist Young Ho Kim, Coach Hyo Geun Lee, London gold medalist Bongil Gu, in order to produce the best products. I hope that one day, the Born to Kill products could help fencers all around the world to produce their best results. Hwaseung wishes for the growth of both its 30 year old representative brand Lecaf and the sport of fencing in Korea. Lecaf, along Lourus Fencing Club representative Jimi Jung and coach Young Ho Kim, promises to make an effort to sponsor tournaments, develop fencing shoes, focus on the growth of amateur fencers, and more. I wish that all the fencers representing Korea and the USA at this KUEFI tournament will be prosperous in their futures.



Professor A. Peter Weiss/ M.D. Associate Dean of Medicine (Admissions) Alpert Medical School of Brown University R. Scot Sellers Scholar of Hand Surgery Professor of Orthopaedics	On behalf of all the fencers and coaches from the USA, we would like to thank Korea, as a proud nation, for inviting us to participate in this 2nd annual fencing tournament. We are all honored to have had the opportunity to renew our friendships from last year and each of us is deeply impressed by the talented university fencers from Korea. With the Olympics just finishing, the world saw the high level of world class fencing arising in Korea. We are grateful to Mr. Jimi Jung, Chairman of this Invitational Tournament and the President of the Korean Collegiate Fencing Federation, for all the organization provided by the wonderful students and staff in making all the Americans feel welcome. We are also grateful to the sponsors and Incheon city officials that have made our trip so memorable. While the history of Korea is very long and that of the United States relatively short, both our nations share a unique bond due to the Korean War. Great battles, only six decades ago, raged very close to where we stand today. The history of our nations will be forever attached by shared blood and sacrifice. This is history none of us should ever forget. Fencing is a sport of intelligence, quickness and dedication of effort. Thanks to all the excellent young athletes that have worked so hard and long in their training. The lessons learned will serve each of you very well in your chosen careers. But always remember to excel in the classroom as well as on the strip. Lastly, we appreciate the wonderful cultural exchange and unique sights of Korea. These memories will last a lifetime as will our friendships. Thank you.