Seven Lions Take Part in First Annual Korea-USA Elite Fencing Invitational
Courtesy: Columbia University Athletics
Release: 08/26/2011
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Seven Columbia fencers participated in the first annual Korea-USA Elite Fencing Invitational (KUEFI) held in Busan, South Korea earlier this month. The purpose of the event was to promote the sport of fencing within collegiate communities in the United States and in Korea.
Jimi Jung, President of International Development for Stanford Fencing Association and the Head of the Committee for KUEFI, extended an invitation to elite American schools to participate in the event. Eight American universities combined to send approximately 50 fencers to the competition. The invitational, in Jung's words, would "demonstrate the beauty of fencing" to potential supporters in the Korean community to help bolster fencing as an elite sport.
The competition setup appeared like a World Cup with a spectacular venue that was extremely well organized. The competition lasted two days with three weapons fenced each day. Sophomores Camille Gallardo and Gaby Strass and senior Ariana Warr competed in the women's epee competition while junior Dylan Knox competed in men's epee and juniorClaire Wu in women's foil.
The second day of competition featured Columbia's sabre fencers, senior Sammy Roberts and sophomore Mel Rodriguez. Rodriguez and Roberts had the highest finishes for Columbia fencers finishing, 12th and 16th respectively.
The third day of the event featured a 60-touch relay team event for the top two finishers in each event from the United States and Korea. The format of the event has one fencer at a time fence in five-touch increments switching off weapon and gender until the team score reaches 60 touches. Rodriguez was the top finisher for the U.S. men in the sabre event and got the opportunity to anchor the final five touches against Bongil Gu of Korea. Gu is currently ranked third in the international world rankings, which helped Korea win the relay, 60-51. In order to promote the sport, the event is going to be televised on SBS ESPEN, Korea's ESPN network, in the upcoming weeks.
Rodriguez described that final bout as an unforgettable experience for him. "We fenced on a raised finals strip with all of the lights off except for those directly above the strip, which added to the spectacle," Rodriguez said. "Gu is without a doubt the strongest opponent I have ever gone up against. Even though I lost, I look forward to fencing him again someday."
Other than just fencing, all the participants ran a three-kilometer race called Run For Loves, a fundraiser event to help aid North Korean refugees. On the last day of the trip, the organizers arranged a bus tour for all of the American fencers to see the city of Busan, a Buddhist temple and the United Nationals Memorial Cemetery in Korea.
Columbia's fencers felt that the event was more than just a fencing event. "KUEFI was a heartwarming experience," said Wu. "It was more about promoting friendships between Korean and American fencers. It showed the beauty of fencing but also allowed us to make connections within the Korean fencing community that will last beyond the Invitational."
The planners hope the event will be an annual occurrence that raises awareness and enthusiasm for fencing, eventually finds talented fencers and engages major corporations to establish national prestige for the sport. More information, including highlights and results, can be found on the event's website.
Reporting courtesy of Sammy Roberts '12SEAS
