Jujie Luan, a living legend in the world of Fencing
The Chinese-Canadian, Jujie Luan is a living 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 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, at 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 the year 1984. It was the first ever Olympic
Gold Medal for both her and her country, China.
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 got the 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 in her 20-years age at 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 that she did. She ended winning a silver medal setting a history for China, which had not had a female fencer into the world events for the past 80 years.
She was the new Chinese sports celebrity. Books were written, as well as a film also featured her life. The achievements she had were all the more remarkable because Jujie had a serious kidney problem that resided for most of her career as a potential fencer
in China.
Other achievements she brought home for China included 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 the
years 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. She also got much inspired with the city and then later in 1989 came back to get settled there. 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 the year 1994. Since she got 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.
At her age of 42, shortly after her third child was born, Jujie decided to end up her 12-year retirement from the World Cup, trying to fit in the Canadian Olympic fencing team in 1999. She succeeded at top-eight of the World Cup, hence, qualifying and representing
Canada in the 2000 Olympics in Australia. It was her third try as an Olympian. After another break of eight years, she decided an attempt in the Olympics 2008. Amazingly, she had proven as a serious contender for the Canadian team.
Being the 107th World ranked fencer, she participated in the 2008 Olympics with her Olympic medal dream. This dream ended when she lost with 15-7 against a 32-year-old Hungarian, Aida Mohamed, who is the world’s seventh ranked fencer.
During the same year, she earned the title of World Veteran Champion in Women’s foil that was held in France. She was introduced into the City of Edmonton Hall of Fame 2008. She was honoured as YWCA Women of Distinction 2008 and also chosen as Athlete of
the year 2008 for the Alberta Fencing Association (AFA). Another discretionary award was that Jujie was selected as one of the Top-20 Most Influential Women in Canadian Sport for the year 2008 by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport
and Physical Activity.
Jujie was an exceptional example for her commitment towards a life-long fitness. She, as a coach, mentored two members of Junior and Senior Canadian National Fencing teams. She also coached many athletes for medals at Alberta and Canada Winter Games.
Jujie is a mother of three children, one of whom is a special child. She is an active volunteer in Edmonton. Moreover, she extends her support to a large family back in her homeland.
Her volunteer efforts involve the invitation of Chinese fencers to visit Canada, promoting Chinese language learning and establishing a Chinese Cultural club at Edmonton.
Jujie still continues to love the sport of fencing because of the fact that EFC has become the largest and most wide-ranging fencing club West of Toronto.
She is a great role model for not just athlete and fencers, but all women and parents too. She is an inspiration for those women who want to build a career in sports for a long time.
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