Lutong Hao's Journey to the Women’s Blues Fencing Team

I am Lutong Hao, a second-year Mathematics and Statistics student at Lincoln College.

When I had my first fencing taster lesson in secondary school, I knew nothing about this sport, and my arm ached even holding a weapon. Now after six years of training, this sport and the club have become an important part of my life.

I have the honour this year to be a member of the Women’s Blues Fencing Team, as well as to compete in the BUCS National Championships and the Varsity match against Cambridge. Our performance this academic year was amazing. We did not lose a single team match in the league, ending the season as the undefeated Premier South Champion. Having managed to proceed into the semi-finals of the National Championships, we achieved our full blues together as a team. The most exciting achievement this year would be that we finally won the individual weapon trophy for épée in Varsity after Cambridge has kept it for 18 years since 2005, winning all of the four Women’s Blues trophies.

I used to compete individually before university, but fencing as a team is very different. I gained so much confidence and support from my teammates, and have become a stronger athlete both physically and mentally. Being on the team means I have chosen to take my hobby seriously and take responsibility for it. I have never imagined doing video reviews, discussing team tactics, or even having captain-made pasta for carbs loading before matches. But these are all such happy memories that I will never forget and these have made my life at Oxford much more enjoyable. I could not have asked for more or a better team, and cannot wait to slay again next year.