2026 Junior & Cadet Worlds, Day 2: Aiden Tse Wins Cadet World Gold in Men's Saber in Stunning Debut Performance

Apr 2, 2026, 8:21 PM EDT

by Bryan Wendell

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Premier Fencing Academy fencer wasn't expecting to medal at his first Junior & Cadet Worlds. He left with the title.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Aiden Tse (Premier Fencing Academy) didn't come to Rio expecting to stand on top of the podium. He just wanted to fence his best.

"I'm just in disbelief," Tse said after winning gold in Cadet Men's Saber on Day 2 of the 2026 Junior & Cadet Fencing World Championships. "Keep working for it. Keep showing up every day."

Tse, a product of Premier Fencing Academy in San Francisco, claimed gold at his first Junior & Cadet Worlds — continuing a remarkable recent run for Team USA in this event. Will Morrill won the title in 2023, and Emilio Gonzalez claimed gold in 2025. With Tse's win, the United States has now won Cadet Men's Saber gold at three of the last four Junior & Cadet World Championships.

His coaches at Premier Fencing Academy were emotional in the aftermath.

"I hope everybody gets to feel that," said coach Tsetsi Hristov, who says she competed as a fencer without reaching this stage. "Me experiencing this through him as a coach — it's even bigger than anything else."

Coach Kristiyan Hristov echoed that pride. "He's different, he's special," he says. "He put in the work, and when it counted, he made it happen."

Also competing in Cadet Men's Saber, Semeon Ermakov (Fencing Academy of Denver, Nellya Fencers) had a strong showing, finishing 13th. Devyn Anthony (Peter Westbrook Foundation, Tim Morehouse Fencing Club) finished 40th.

In Cadet Women's Saber, Dora Zhang (LA Fencing Academy of Pomona) led the U.S. contingent with an 11th-place finish, followed by Delilah Huai (Premier Fencing Academy) in 16th and Martina Fernandez (Nellya Fencers) in 39th.

Day 2 Results for Team USA

Cadet Women's Saber

11th place: Dora Zhang (LA Fencing Academy of Pomona)

16th place: Delilah Huai (Premier Fencing Academy)

39th place: Martina Fernandez (Nellya Fencers)

Cadet Men's Saber

Gold and 2026 Cadet World Champion: Aiden Tse (Premier Fencing Academy)

13th place: Semeon Ermakov (Fencing Academy of Denver, Nellya Fencers)

40th place: Devyn Anthony (Peter Westbrook Foundation, Tim Morehouse Fencing Club)