Fencing’s most Vibrant Icon of Foil: Jujie Luan - Part 1
The Chinese-Canadian, Jujie Luan is a perfect example for young fencers, especially for women. She is a historic part of China and Canada when it comes to the sport of fencing.
Luan was born in the city of Nanjing, China on the July 14, 1958. They were seven children in family. She was fond of sports like volleyball, badminton and athletics, especially high jump since her childhood. When young, she was persuaded to try fencing
as a sport but had not much interest. However, in the age of 16 she attempted fencing and has loved it since then.
In one year tenure, she had made it to the Chinese National team and continued winning many National and International titles for her country, China. Noticeable among the lot, was her Olympic Gold Medal she won in 1984.
She won Chinese National Championship in Women’s foil 9 times. She also coached her sister, who was a member of the Chinese National Fencing Team, for 10 years. During this decade, she also earned a degree in Sports Management from the Nanjing University.
In 1999, Jujie was entitled as one of the China’s top-50 sports stars since the People’s Republic of China was founded.
She is studied in the Chinese Textbooks for what she had done when she was 20-years-old at the 1977 World Junior Championships. In her first match against a Russian in Women’s foil, she encountered an injury yet she managed to fence for two and a half hour
period. Her arm had turned blue due to the intense bleeding but all she thought was to complete the match. She ended winning a silver medal setting a history for China, which had not had a female fencer in the World events for the past 80 years. She was the
new Chinese hero, as books were written and a film also featured her life. The achievements she had were all the more remarkable because Jujie had a serious kidney problem that was with her for most of her career as a potential fencer in China.
Other achievements she brought home for China include participation in the 1988 Olympics, gold medal twice and silver medal twice in World Cup from 1982-1986, gold medal in the Asian Games 1978 and 1986 twice and silver medal in World Championship in 1978
and 1981.
In 1983, Jujie went for the World University Games to be held in Edmonton, Canada. She won a gold medal in the event and got inspired with the city as she later settled there in 1989. She studied English at the University of Alberta and also fenced and coached
for the university.
In 1989, she was entitled as the Fencing Master in Edmonton Fencing Club (EFC). The growth that she gave to the club was remarkable starting from a membership figure of 40 to a current record of above 300 members.
She got the citizenship of Canada in 1994. Since she has settled there, she continued to compete in the Women’s foil events, apart from focusing on her coaching. She has won several National Championships in Canada both in Individual and Team fencing events.
Her achievements in fencing are remarkable. Jujie represents a tremendous competitive spirit that has guided her throughout her amazing fencing career. Her amazing performance in the past has cemented her place in the world of fencing. Jujie’s contribution
to fencing in both China and Canada has been recognised all over the World. She is without a doubt, a true icon of fencing.
Continued in Part 2
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