We recently interviewed Winnie Huang, president of the Fencing Club at Imperial, and talked all things fencing. Read about her experience with Move and Imperial Athletes below.

We spoke with Winnie at the Ethos Sports Hall

Tell us a bit about yourself. 
Hi, my name is Winnie. I am a second-year Materials Science and Engineering student, and I currently serve as the President of the Imperial College Fencing Club. I have been fencing for almost twelve years, and although I have only been fencing at Imperial for just over a year, it has already become a major part of my university life. 
 
What motivated you to join Move Imperial? 
I stopped competing during COVID because all events were cancelled. When competitions returned, I wanted structure and challenge in my training again. I met the Imperial Fencing Club at the Welcome Fair and was drawn to their energy and professionalism. They encouraged me to attend the team trial the next day, so I went. The experience reminded me of how much I valued a competitive environment. Joining the club helped me refocus and push myself again. 
 
How has your experience with Imperial Athletes impacted your wellbeing and university life? 
My involvement has grown significantly since last year, when I was Assistant Treasurer. As President this year, I am responsible for overseeing logistics, finances, squad organisation and competition planning. The role can be demanding, but it has strengthened my ability to manage multiple priorities, work effectively with different teams and make decisions under time constraints. Beyond the operational side, fencing has also broadened my network by allowing me to meet and collaborate with students from a wide range of backgrounds. 
 
What is your favourite memory or moment from Imperial Athletes? 
A highlight for me was travelling with our Men’s First Team to the Fencing Premier Weekend in Oxford last year. Despite being a player down, the team delivered an outstanding performance and won the event. The resilience and teamwork they showed were inspiring, and it was rewarding to support them through such a high-pressure competition. After the competition, I put together a short highlight video for the club. It was a great way to showcase their performance, and it also allowed me to apply my interest in digital content and social media in a meaningful way. 
 
How has Imperial Athletes supported you in your sport? 
Imperial Athletes has provided a level of structure and performance support that has enhanced both my training and the club’s development. As a focus sport, we have access to Strength and Conditioning programmes and the prospect of video analysis to review performance. Having this professional framework helps us refine our approach and consistently improve, and it has been incredibly valuable for both individual athletes and the club as a whole. 
 
Are the services at Ethos different from where you practiced before? 
Yes, significantly. Fencing includes three weapons: foil, epee and sabre, and most fencers specialise in one. At Imperial, athletes are encouraged to broaden their skill set. I had never fenced epee before joining the club, but after trying it here, I now occasionally step in for our epee team during fixtures. This has helped me develop a more rounded understanding of the sport and adapt quickly to different competitive environments. 
 
What upcoming events with your club are you excited about? 
In February we will be competing in the BUCS National Individual Championship. It is a major three-day event that brings together strong athletes from across the country. It is always a great opportunity for our club to showcase our preparation and support one another in a competitive environment. I am looking forward to seeing how our fencers perform and to contributing to a positive team experience throughout the event. 
 
What would you say to someone considering joining the fencing team? 
Fencing is a sport that relies on both quick decision-making and longer-term strategic planning. You rarely win a point through a single action, so you need to build your approach thoughtfully and execute with precision. It is a sport where points are earned through your own intent, timing and discipline, rather than from your opponent’s mistakes. Learning fencing helps people develop resilience, focus and a structured way of thinking, which makes it a very rewarding environment for anyone who enjoys a challenge.