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USA Fencing National Championships & July Challenge (Summer Nationals 2024) — Columbus

USA Fencing National Championships & July Challenge (Summer Nationals)

Dates: June 29 – July 8, 2024
Location: Greater Columbus Convention - 400 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 | Halls A - C
Events offered: All Divisions and Age Groups (except for Vet Combined)

Live video: Here

Live results: Here

Registration opens: Feb. 22
Regular Entry deadline: May 10
Qualification Deadline: May 10 
Withdrawal Deadline: June 7 
Classification Deadline: June 28 5 PM Local Time 
Petition deadline: May 17 (Petition form is here)

How to qualify: Read this

Don't want to carry your fencing bag back and forth from the hotel to the venue? Reserve Here

Hotel Booking

To book your hotel room with USA Fencing's official provider, GroupHousing, and receive the best available rates, click here.

Education BootcampsRegister for the Bootcamp here

  • Athlete Education Bootcamp: How to Standout in the Recruiting Process: Tips and insights on making yourself more in demand with college coaches. High school students only. 

  • Parent Education Bootcamp: Being an NCAA Parent: Supporting your athlete through recruitment and retention in college fencing. Parents of high school athletes only.

InGenius Prep Admissions Sessions (Preregistration is strongly encouraged)

USA Fencing College Fair: Featuring more than two dozen schools with NCAA fencing programs, the fair is a not-to-miss chance for rising juniors and seniors to connect with college coaches.

COLLEGE FAIR NOTES

  • Fencers must be rising Juniors or Seniors to enter the College Fair.
  • Sessions are capped; advance registration highly recommended.
  • Both sessions are identical, and fencers should choose only one.
  • To ensure a personal and productive experience, each session is limited to 200 participants, and pre-registration is strongly recommended.

4–4:30 p.m.: Check-in for Session 1

4:30–6 p.m.: College Fair, Session 1

6 - 6:30 p.m.: Check-in for Session 2

6:30–8:00 p.m.: College Fair, Session 2

Class of 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

This year's event will be on July 2, 2024, at 6 p.m. (with cocktail hour) at the Hilton Columbus Downtown.

Buy your tickets now.

Portrait Studio

Capture the spirit of your Summer Nationals journey with a professional photo session in Columbus!

Book now to immortalize your fencing achievements in stunning, high-quality portraits you can use on fencing resumes, on social media or as a timeless keepsake. 

Book your session.

Presentation Room

Join us in Room B132 for one or more of these presentations.

  • June 30, 5:30 p.m: Mental Health in Fencing presented by Dr Ina Harizanova, Dr. John Heil, Dr. Justin Tausig
    • Description: A presentation that will cover a wide range of topics related to athlete health and performance emphasizing the important message that athlete welfare and competitive success can co-exist.
  • July 1, 1 to 2 p.m.: Body Negativity in the Sports World, presented by Megumi Oishi.
    • Description: A thought-provoking session on body negativity in sports, aiming to raise awareness and instigate meaningful conversations on the topic.
  • July 2, 10 to 11 a.m.: Guidance For Fencers Fencing During Hot Weather, presented by Asmi Sawant.
    • Description: This study discusses how increased temperature, combined with the fencer’s overall uniform, which is made of rugged cotton or nylon, and layers of various protective gear, could raise concerns about the potential health risk for the athlete's exacerbation of heat stress.
  • July 2, 11 a.m. to noon: Analyzing and Enhancing Fencing Lunges Utilizing AI, presented by Isabella Guan & Samuel Li.
    • Description: This study explores the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning algorithms to analyze fencing lunges, aiming to enhance athletic performance, prevent injuries, and optimize training strategies. Utilizing the Google Cloud Platform Video Intelligence API and a 1D Convolutional Neural Network, the research provides objective, data-driven feedback to improve lunge techniques
  • July 3 , 10 - 11 a.m.:  Releasing Expectations & Fencing Your Best
    • Description: We’ve all gone into a competition with high expectations, only to get there and fence worse than we could have imagined. It’s upsetting, baffling, an frustrating—and one of the things many of my clients come to me for. This talk will cover why this happens and what you can do about it, so you can start fencing up to your level in tournaments. 
  • July 3 and July 5, noon to 1:30 p.m.: Neurofencing, Phase 3: Physiology & Biomechanics of a Fencer's Movement, presented by Supriya Nair.
    • Description: Explore groundbreaking insights from Supriya Nair's study at the University of Washington on fencing biomechanics, featuring over 50 fencers and 5,500 touches. Learn how different lunges impact your joints and understand the kinematics, ground reaction forces, and strength-to-weight ratios to enhance performance and prevent injuries. Find more details at www.neurofencing.com and see the trailer here

"Fencing for the Edge" screening

USA Fencing is excited to bring a unique opportunity to those attending Summer Nationals in Columbus! During the competition, we will offer two screenings of the documentary "Fencing for the Edge," directed by Holly Buechel. This film chronicles the journey of a top high school girls' fencing team as they strive for the State Team Championship. The screenings will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Sunday, June 30, and Friday, July 5, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM ET. Tickets are complimentary, but donations are welcome to support future distribution efforts. Spots are limited, so be sure to secure your tickets soon!

All-Member Meeting/Town Hall

All members are invited to attend the Membership Town Hall on Friday, July 5. This is an opportunity to meet with your National Office staff and ask questions or speak to them about the issues that matter to you! We look forward to seeing you there.

July 5, 4 to 5 p.m.
Meeting Room C170


Register by May 10 at regular fees

Special Offers for Summer Nationals Attendees!

Check below for some special offers for Summer Nationals participants and fans.