Columbia Fencing Looks Back on Summer Trip to China
10/15/2018 3:24:00 PM | Fencing
Coach Aufrichtig and six fencers traveled to China this summer for the Absolute Fencing International Collegiate Fencing Competition
NEW YORK- This past summer, Columbia fencing packed up and headed off to Shanghai, China for the 2018 Absolute International Collegiate Fencing Competition. This is the eighth year the Lions have headed to Asia during the summer, the last four being in China. The event is put together to celebrate intercollegiate fencing around the world.
Each year, Coach Michael Aufrichtig selects six fencers who have performed well on and off the strip to represent Columbia at the competition. Giana Vierheller, Anne Cebula, Sam Moelis, Dawson Sieradzky, Josef Cohen and Violet Michel were chosen among the Columbia fencers to compete this summer.
This trip provides a unique experience for the fencers to compete along not only athletes from different American colleges, but also from universities around the world. Athletes from Korea teamed up with the Lions to compete in events that Columbia did not have a fencer. Coach Aufrichtig noted that this was an opportunity for the team to introduce everyone to "the power of Columbia fencing".
"We rarely have the opportunity to fence college-aged fencers outside of those living in the US, so to have exposure to university fencers from Hungary, Korea, and China was invaluable," Junior epee, Giana Vierheller, said. "What made this tournament especially unique was the opportunity to form a team with our competitors from these countries, and to drive our Columbia/Korea team to a strong third place finish." The Columbia/Korea team finished in third place.
Not only was this trip an opportunity for the Lions to experience international collegiate competition, but also to experience the culture of China. "One of the things they really liked was going to the markets and negotiating," Aufrichtig said. "I took the entire team to foot massages...It's a great way for them to experience new things."
Columbia fencing begins its 2018-19 season October 21 for the annual Alumni Meet. The meet begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Blue Gym at Dodge Fitness Center. The team will also celebrate their Ivy League Championship win with a ring ceremony during the meet.
Each year, Coach Michael Aufrichtig selects six fencers who have performed well on and off the strip to represent Columbia at the competition. Giana Vierheller, Anne Cebula, Sam Moelis, Dawson Sieradzky, Josef Cohen and Violet Michel were chosen among the Columbia fencers to compete this summer.
This trip provides a unique experience for the fencers to compete along not only athletes from different American colleges, but also from universities around the world. Athletes from Korea teamed up with the Lions to compete in events that Columbia did not have a fencer. Coach Aufrichtig noted that this was an opportunity for the team to introduce everyone to "the power of Columbia fencing".
"We rarely have the opportunity to fence college-aged fencers outside of those living in the US, so to have exposure to university fencers from Hungary, Korea, and China was invaluable," Junior epee, Giana Vierheller, said. "What made this tournament especially unique was the opportunity to form a team with our competitors from these countries, and to drive our Columbia/Korea team to a strong third place finish." The Columbia/Korea team finished in third place.
Not only was this trip an opportunity for the Lions to experience international collegiate competition, but also to experience the culture of China. "One of the things they really liked was going to the markets and negotiating," Aufrichtig said. "I took the entire team to foot massages...It's a great way for them to experience new things."
Columbia fencing begins its 2018-19 season October 21 for the annual Alumni Meet. The meet begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Blue Gym at Dodge Fitness Center. The team will also celebrate their Ivy League Championship win with a ring ceremony during the meet.
Players Mentioned
EPEE
/ Fencing
SABRE
/ Fencing
SABRE
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
SABRE
/ Fencing
EPEE
/ FencingInterview: FENCE | Kumbla After NCAA Championship
Sunday, March 22
Highlight: FENCE | Kumbla Clinches Foil Title
Sunday, March 22
Interview: FENCE | Anne Cebula & Jackie Dubrovich Headed Paris Olympics
Wednesday, July 24
Interview: FENCE | Bogdan Hamilton Previews Paris Olympics
Tuesday, July 23
