The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) fencing team delivered outstanding performances at the 29th National University Students Fencing Championships from 2 to 8 November. The team claimed the Men’s Foil Team Championship (Group A), Men’s Foil Individual Bronze (Group A), and Women’s Foil Team Bronze (Group A).
Organised by the China Student Sports Federation, the tournament featured individual and team events in foil, épée, and sabre for both men and women. A total of 762 athletes from 105 universities across the country competed fiercely for top honours.
UNNC achieved historic breakthroughs in both men’s and women’s foil team events. In the Men’s Foil Team Final, the UNNC fencers faced the strong Shenzhen University team, renowned for their impressive individual results and overall strength. Through excellent teamwork and unwavering determination, UNNC secured the championship title with a score of 45-38.
As one of the first universities in Zhejiang Province to launch a fencing programme in 2021, UNNC has since developed a comprehensive training and teaching system. The university established its fencing team in 2022 and secured an individual men’s foil championship at the National University Students Fencing Championships in 2023, and this year’s men’s foil team championship, as well as silver and bronze titles in previous years—marking a period of rapid growth and success for fencing at UNNC.
Qizhi Xie, captain of the men’s fencing team and a Mathematics and Applied Mathematics student, stood out in the competition, earning an individual bronze and leading his team to gold in the team event. He said, “I’m thrilled with our performance as a team. My teammates and I have achieved a breakthrough for the university. The university has provided us with a student-centred high-performance programme, which includes training from professional coaches, strength and conditioning sessions, kit, equipment, and comprehensive support throughout the competition, allowing us to fully focus on giving our best in every match.”
Longyin Zhang, captain of the women’s fencing team and an English language and Applied Linguistics student, reflected on some of the most memorable moments: “The semi-final and the bronze medal match left the deepest impression. In the semi-final, we didn’t manage the details well and felt a bit tense facing a strong opponent, narrowly missing the win. But that match helped us see where we could improve. Going into the bronze medal match, we adjusted our mindset, relaxed, and gave it our all with exceptional decisiveness.”
Left: Qizhi Xie, Right: Longyin Zhang
Reflecting on the team’s progress, coach Libin Yu commented, “From preparation to the end of the tournament, the biggest change I saw in the students was their clearer goals and stronger determination to do their best. Sport teaches perseverance in the face of challenges. Students have to balance their academic and sporting commitments, managing tight schedules, intensive training, and even injuries. When they achieve success and win medals, that truly reflects the spirit of sport: overcoming adversity.”
At UNNC, sport is more than just a activity; it is an essential part of student development. Through sport, students continuously learn key skills needed after graduation and they are transferable to the workplace, including resilience, confidence, teamwork, and leadership. By embracing challenges, they lay a strong foundation for their future studies and life beyond university.
Published on 11 November 2025