KUEFI

1. Promote and develop Korean and US collegiate fencing and elicit public interest in the sport.
2. Provide Korean and US collegiate fencers an opportunity to experience an international fencing competition and help them develop world-class fencing skills.
3. Raise awareness about fencing’s educational advantages and its benefits.
4. Foster international-caliber athletes and promote sports in Korea by spreading the theme of “Education Through Athletics”.
5. Promote Korean culture & its 'brand' and continue the development of Korean sports-event administration.

With these objectives, Mr. Jimi Jung, Chairman of the Korea Collegiate Fencing Federation and International President of the Stanford Fencing Association, started the first KUEFI in 2011. KUEFI has been held in Busan (2011), Incheon (2012) and Jeju (2013) and will be held in Suwon in 2014.

(2011 – 2014 KUEFI: Managed by Lourus Sports Marketing)

Background and Objectives

Values and Goals

 

An excerpt from Mr. Jimi Jung’s welcome speech in 2011:

“We are here today for a strong cause: to promote the sport of fencing. Fencing has a long and historic tradition. Also, it inspires altruistic values through courtesy and virtue. I was very interested in sports and I encountered fencing for the first time through the fencing team of my alma mater, Stanford University. I fell in love with the dynamics and beauty of fencing as I became involved with the team. I also realized that many Korean collegiate fencing teams, and US collegiate fencing teams including Stanford were not getting enough financial support.  For this reason, I have been truly motivated to support not only Stanford, but all collegiate fencing programs in Korea and the US.

I have met many potential supporters in the last three years. Since they do not know the beauty of fencing, persuading them to support our sport has not been easy. Therefore, I urge elite student athletes to demonstrate the beauty of fencing at the Invitational. I am sure people will be fascinated when they watch elite university fencers’ effort and passion. Fencing will gain more supporters through your high-level performance at the Invitational. Every year, the number of supporters will expand, and they will ultimately bring more stability to your programs and clubs.

KUEFI-PROGRESSIVE POSITIONING

 

FENCING HISTORY & BENEFITS

Fencing is a sport where points are scored when a touch has been made with a blade on a valid target on the opponent’s body. Fencing has a long history, dating back to when swords were first used as weapons.

The mechanics of modern fencing originated in the 18th century. Fencers began to wear masks and put a cotton ball at the tip of the fencing blade to prevent any harm to the opponent’s body. As more people began to enjoy fencing as a sport, various kinds of weapons were made and fencing skills began to adapt to be used in sports rather than in actual combat.

Fencing was introduced in Korea after its independence from Japan in the 1940’s. In 1946, ‘Goryeo Fencing Club’ was established and began spreading the art of fencing in Korea. In 1947, ‘Chosun Fencing Assocation’ was established and the YMCA created a fencing team to produce more fencers. After participating in numerous international competitions, men’s foilist Young Ho Kim won Asia’s first Olympic Gold Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Korean fencing has been expanding since the establishment of ‘Lourus Fencing Club’ in 2008, the first natiional fencing club in Korea. The first KUEFI (KUEFI) was successfully held in 2011 (hosted by the Korea Collegiate Fencing Federation; organized by Sports Chosun and Lourus Enterprise; sponsored by Hwaseung Cooperation, Lecaf, Korea Foundation for the Next Generation Sports Talent and Lourus Enterprise).

With more attention from the public, and great support from the Korean Fencing Federation and SK Telecom Cooperation, the Korean Olympic Fencing Team, including Bon Gil Gu, a gold medalist at the first KUEFI, won a total of six medals at the 2012 London Olympic Games (two gold medals, one silver, and three bronze).

Furthermore, the first Korea National Fencing Club Championship (hosted and organized by the Korean Fencing Federation; sponsored by SK Telecom Cooperation) was successfully held in January 2014. More than 1,000 amateur fencers and their families and supporters participated. This summer, the ‘Suwon International Fencing Championship’ which includes the ‘Asia Fencing Championship’ and fourth KUEFI event will be held in July 2014 (organized by Sports Chosun and Lourus Enterprise; hosted by Asia Fencing Federation, the Korea Fencing Federation, Korean Collegiate Fencing Federation, and Suwon City; sponsored by Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Korea Foundation for the Next Generation Sports Talent, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and Lourus Enterprise).

With a history dating back to 1891, Stanford fencing team has shown the highest performance in the Olympics and World Championships as among the longest-running collegiate sporting programs in America. First Korea National Fencing Club "Lourus Fencing Club"

Minimal physical space requirements (1.5m x 14m enough) All ages can enjoy fencing (from kindergarten to age of 70's) Naturally encourages sportsmanship, respect, and good manners Learn the importance of Fencing Etiquette: minding the referee, showing respect for other players Great exercise that does not allow participants even a second to relax during a match A sport which requires a maximum degree of concentration & hand-eye coordination Promotes core physical strength, good posture, cardio strengthening Instant decision-making ability and speed are key factors of good performance Academic profile of fencers is better than typical college applicants