“The sound of clashing swords, the sharp, metallic scrape of blades against one another, gives me an adrenaline rush I can only find on the fencing strip,” freshman Chris Mo said.
Mo, who has been fencing since fifth grade, has trained at the Alliance Fencing Academy four times a week. Fencing has been more than just his hobby; it is his passion.
“It’s not just about what you can do in the moment,” Mo said. “It’s about building that muscle memory and focus over time. Every move, every touch, becomes second nature.”
A sport that’s often overlooked in mainstream conversations about athletics, fencing requires a rare combination of agility, strategy and mental toughness. And for Mo, it was his father – a former fencer himself – who first sparked his interest in the sport.
“My dad told me about his love for fencing and pushed me to try it out,” Mo said.
Peyton Young, a Kinkaid alumnus, attended the same academy. . He graduated last year and was a top 20 fencer in the nation. He was Mo’s role model during the time they spent together at the academy.
“My favorite part about fencing is the weapon I use called an épée because you can hit anywhere on the body with it,” Mo said. “Hitting a nasty touch on the wrist or foot is so rewarding.”
Even though Mo does not have national recognition yet, he has won multiple local tournaments. The tournaments he participates in are once or twice a month.
He said he is appreciative that Kinkaid allows him to get an outside sports credit for his sport.
Mo said he loves the uniqueness of the sport because he feels a lot of it comes natural to him. He thinks that some parts of fencing can be learned, but other parts of fencing are just natural instincts.
“I love the feeling of my fencing colleagues shouting my name while I am on the aluminum strip in a fencing match…,” Mo said.
