While the Republican National Convention brought political fervor to Milwaukee’s Baird Center last summer, this week the atmosphere was electrified by the clash of sabers and cheers of spectators. The USA Fencing National Championship, a significant event in the fencing calendar, has taken over the convention center, drawing thousands of participants and fans alike.
Commencing on June 28 and running until July 7, the championship is an open event, welcoming the public at no cost. With over 90 events, the tournament sees more than 6,000 fencers battling in both individual and team categories, spanning various age groups.
Among the young competitors is 14-year-old Noah Pe from San Diego, California. Reflecting on his performance, he noted, “It’s going OK. I feel like my results aren’t the best, but I could definitely do better.” Pe appreciates fencing for its dual challenge of physical prowess and mental strategy, saying, “You’ve got to think about what your opponent’s doing, and think of a move to counter that. And the physical part’s just, like, doing that move.” Having started fencing at seven, he relishes the travel and competition that come with the sport.
The event fosters a sense of camaraderie among fencers who frequent such tournaments. Teams from the East and West coasts, the Midwest, and even Canada are represented, showcasing the sport’s wide appeal.
Sharone Huey, a 69-year-old fencer from New York City, returned to the sport after decades away, inspired by a story of an older fencer. “I was flipping through a book called ‘Growing Old Is Not for Sissies.’ And there was a 60-year-old woman still fencing. I think I was in my thirties or forties, and I’m like, if she can do it, I can do it. So I got back into it,” she shared. Huey praises fencing as a “real gentleman’s sport,” emphasizing courtesy and tactical finesse over sheer force. “It’s not about brute force, you know, it’s the timing, what you see in front of you,” she explained.
Huey attended the tournament with two of her college fencing friends, both in their seventies, demonstrating that fencing is a lifetime sport. “I have a friend who started when she was in her sixties, and she’s still competing. It’s never too late to start fencing,” she remarked.
The event also marks a milestone for Milwaukee’s Baird Center, being the first to utilize the newly expanded northern wing, as noted by the city’s tourism agency, Visit Milwaukee.
