Dedicated to the “holistic education” concept, Haidian Kaiwen Academy pays great attention to sports, which is one of the school’s three major distinctive courses, so as to cultivate students with a healthy body and mind and positive emotions.

Fencing, which is quite popular on the campus, is not only a type of sports and a skill, but also an art and a way of education. It refines the students for smooth figure and well-coordinated motor, improves their ability in concentration and creativity, and makes them more courageous, confident and positive.

　　Haidian Kaiwen Academy ranked second for group.

On the gaming field, fencing is a fighting-alone sport, with two opponents standing face to face with a sword in hand. Each movement is in the mind and every second is precious for adjusting the state of mind independently. Off the field, teammates care for, cheer for and support each other.

For the little fencers of Haidian Kaiwen Academy, June 1, 2019 was an extraordinary Children’s Day, when the 9th Beijing International School Fencing Tournament kicked off at International School of Beijing – Shunyi. Among them, U8 sabre Liu Pinmo and U10 foil Xu Wenxin won the first prize. Wang Zhige, Wang Aiyi and Tang Shiyan won the second place in the epee event and Sun Kexin the second place in the sabre event. Nine other fencers won the third place in the epee and foil event. In total, up to 21 students of Kaiwen Academy ranked among the top eight. The school also won the second prize for group in the tournament.

Xu Wenxin won championship for the fourth time.

“bālèi!” a little fencer shouts with confidence and positivity every time she takes a lunge in drills and this is Xu Wenxin. Optimism and responsibility were how the coaches and teammates name her. In the drills of the school team, she is always happy to help others correct the moves and would not easily give up in the combat. Down to earth in the drills and calm in the games, she eventually won the women’s fencing foil championship for the fourth time with confidence and proficient skills.

Tang Shiyan, great energy in a small body

Never overlook petite Tang Shiyan, who seemed weak but is extremely powerful on the gaming field. Through the mask, we could see her determined look. Against opponents much higher and stronger than her, she responded with great calmness, forced forward in fast paces, decisively attacked at right timing and carefully completed each attach and defense, releasing enormous potential from her small body. With a strong will, Tang Shiyan won the second place for U8 women’s fencing epee. Along with the prize, she also won the respect of the opponents and the audience.

Wang Zhige, an elegant ballet dancer on the fencing field

Wang Zhige, a gentle and quiet little girl, is always appealing with her smiling eyes. Bringing her style to the fencing field, she integrated agile paces with elegant posture, presenting a fencing ballet to the audience. In whatever circumstances in the games, she was always prudent and calm, with tactics and ideas in mind. After each game, she would also earnestly summarize the experience. After one and another fierce combat, she eventually won the second place for U10 women’s fencing epee.

Wang Aiyi, a little darling for everyone

Wang Aiyi, a little girl from Class K, joined the tournament as the first time in her life to play in any official fencing game. When asked if she was scared after she just started the drills, she said “No” in her tender yet firm voice. It turned out so as well. On the gaming field, she was not timid at all and attacked boldly and initiatively. Though the audience was amused by her look dressed in the fencing armor like a little penguin, they still applauded the little fighter, who won the second place for Kid women’s fencing epee.

Liu Pinmo, cute and spirited combat angel

Liu Pinmo, the youngest girl in the school team, always leads others for warm-up exercise before the drills of the team, showing the sportsmanship of professional athletes despite her young age. The strength of character helped her put the skills into full play on the gaming field and the audience was deeply impressed by her image of persistently fighting for every score. The high-level performance on the gaming field was based on the high requirements off the field. In daily drills, Liu Pinmo works hard and never gives up easily even when combating boys. Eventually, with all the efforts made, she won the U8 championship for women’s fencing sabre.

Sun Kexin, diligent and curious little fencing fan

Sun Kexin is always curious about fencing and has numerous questions for the coach in each drill. Such curiosity helps her profoundly understand fencing and thoroughly understand the instructions of the coach, which is integrated with her physical conditions and technical characteristics in the games. As persistent as she was, she stood out in the tournament and won the second place for U8 women’s fencing sabre.

Nine third-prize winners

Besides, nine other little fencers won the third place in their respective event and six little fencers ranked sixth to eighth. With the help and encouragement of the coaches and the teammates, they will continue to make progress and gradually release greater athletic potential in the future. Their efforts are applauded as well:

Great achievements were also the result of the great efforts made by the three fencing coaches, who instructed the students patiently in daily drills and cheered and guided the fencers in the game. Impressive performance of the students was the greatest payback for the coaches.

During the game, the students of Kaiwen Academy remained calm and applied the coaches’ instructions into practice. Taking off the mask, they cheered for and encouraged their teammates fighting on the gaming field. When someone in the battle was off the game and in a disadvantageous position, those waiting outside the field would shout out technical essentials. After the game, they remained stable regardless of the victory or failure, wiped sweat off the face and soon devoted themselves into upcoming challenges.

With daily drills and combating experience from previous games being accumulated, the students will steadily grow with sportsmanship, and will embrace a flourishing future.