Kaohsiung holds its first Education Cup fencing competition, with more than 200 players from across the country competing in the same field

The first Kaohsiung City Education Cup Primary and Secondary School Fencing Championship attracted more than 200 fencing experts from across the country to participate. (Provided by Kaohsiung City Education Bureau)

In order to promote school fencing, Kaohsiung City held the Education Cup Primary and Secondary School Fencing Championship for the first time this year. It debuted at the Lingya Sports Center today (7th), attracting more than 200 fencing experts from across the country to compete. Kaohsiung City Deputy Mayor Li Huairen attended in person. He hopes that through competition and exchanges, fencing will take root on campus and cultivate more outstanding sports talents.

This competition is divided into elementary school, junior high school and high school groups according to school age, and a novice group is specially added to encourage students who are new to fencing to participate bravely. After the competition started this morning, players in each group launched fierce offense and defense on the court, gaining advantages through footwork, sword timing and defensive skills, fully demonstrating the results of daily training.

Kaohsiung City actively promotes school fencing. At present, schools such as Dingjin Junior High School, Ziguan Junior High School and Zuoying High School have invested in special talent training. Among them, Zuoying High School has performed particularly well and has trained many outstanding players, including those who have won the title of "National Youth Men's Elite". Qiu Zhehan, who ranked first in the individual swordsmanship competition, and Xiao Yuhan, who won the bronze medal in the women's sharp swordsmanship at the Chiang Mai Open in Thailand, also participated in this event and competed with experts from all over the world. Xiao Yuhan won her first gold medal in the high school women's sharp swordsman competition in the morning.

Li Huairen, deputy mayor of Kaohsiung City, pointed out that in order to continue to improve the competitive level of fencing, Kaohsiung City has also included fencing in its plans for competitive contracted sports coaches. By introducing professional coaching resources, it will strengthen player training and technical guidance, create a more complete training environment, and help young players improve their strength and strive for success in national and international competitions in the future.

Kaohsiung City Education Director Wu Lisen said that he will continue to cooperate with the Sports Development Bureau, schools and related sports groups to improve training and competition support according to actual needs, and evaluate and expand the promotion opportunities of fencing on campus, so that more students can be exposed to fencing, develop sports expertise, and cultivate the next generation of outstanding fencing talents for Kaohsiung.

The fencing competition is divided into elementary school, junior high school and high school groups according to school age. (Provided by Kaohsiung City Education Bureau)

Zuoying High School fencing players Qiu Zhehan (1st left) and Xiao Yuhan (middle) also participated in this event. The two took a photo with Kaohsiung City Education Director Wu Lisen (right). (Provided by Kaohsiung City Education Bureau)

Kaohsiung City Vice Mayor Li Huairen (back row, middle), Education Director Wu Lisen (back row, second from left), and Transportation Development Director Hou Zunyao (back row, second from right) presided over the opening and kick-off ceremony of the event. (Provided by Kaohsiung City Education Bureau)