In the world of fencing, where precision and agility are paramount, Jia Chen has carved her niche with remarkable achievements. At the tender age of ten, Chen was introduced to the sport by a family friend. Upon hearing about the sport, Chen joined the V Fencing Club, a fencing school in Livingston, which marked the beginning of her fencing journey that has seen her ascend to the pinnacle of the sport.
In 2023, Chen’s fencing prowess catapulted her to the Cadet World Team, an elite team that only selects the top three fencers of each weapon used during the competitions (foil, saber, or epee) and age group in the world. Despite her medals and trophy board overlapping with success, Chen says that she is, “most proud of qualifying for the Cadet World Team and finishing 6th at World Championships.” Chen’s fencing journey is studded with a multitude of accomplishments, including obtaining a bronze medal at an international Cadet World Cup and a commendable 7th place at an international Junior World Cup. When asked about the most challenging competition Chen has accomplished and overcome over the years, Chen responded, “Probably World Championships because of the pressure and nerves.”
Chen’s relentless pursuit of excellence is evident in her rigorous practice routine. Chen explains that she typically goes to practice “three to four times a week, depending on if I have a competition that weekend, and I get an average of four private lessons a week.” Despite Chen’s extensive and long practice schedules, she focuses on a particular set of skills to maximize her fencing success. When practicing, Chen says that she likes to “focus more on offensive tactics and try[ing] not to focus on winning because practicing certain skills during practice will help me do better at competitions.” Winning is secondary; her emphasis lies in perfecting skills during practice to elevate her performance in competitions.
Reflecting on her growth over the years, Chen acknowledges a pivotal period two years ago when she faced a temporary setback: “I think the year right after COVID had the most changes because I wasn’t able to fence at my club at all during COVID, and there were no competitions, so I lost a lot of my skills and speed during this time.” Despite her temporary setback, Chen discovered newfound success in 2023 when she began “going to more international competitions.” With international exposure in the past year, her skills and speed have significantly increased.
Behind every successful athlete is a team of mentors, and Chen is no exception. Chen attributes her main success to her parents, as they “played a big role in my growth because they support all my traveling and help me improve at competitions. They also give me a lot of advice on how to improve, which is something every athlete can use.” Her parents, despite not being fencers, are staunch supporters. Chen’s parents facilitate her extensive travels for competitions but also offer valuable insights, an invaluable asset for any aspiring athlete.
Chen’s journey from a budding fencer to a global competitor is a testament to her resilience, skill, and the unwavering support of her family. As she continues to navigate the intricate footwork of fencing, her story inspires competitive athletes to dream big and pursue their passion with unwavering determination.
