Background of the IFIT

The International Fencing Invitation Tournament (IFIT) is no doubt the highlight of Fencing Club, HKUSTSU annually. Young gentlemen and ladies coming from all over the world are brought together by the same passion for Fencing. Starting from 1999, The Fencing Invitation Tournament- Shanghai & Hong Kong Cup achieved great success. Since then, this event underwent various improvement and changes in different aspects, in order to become one of the Professional Tournaments in Fencing. Today, IFIT has already received high reputation and acknowledgment among universities all over the world, without the unfailing support of all participating universities, Student Affair Office & HK Amateur Fencing Association, this success could never be achieved. 

Review on IFIT

1999 

IFIT was originally named as The Fencing Invitation Tournament- Shanghai & Hong Kong Cup. There were 7 universities participated in this competition. Young passionate fencers from Shanghai and local universities gathered at the event to compete, learn and build up everlasting friendships.  

2000

With the great success achieved in last year, the Tournament had not only attracted participants from Hong Kong and Shanghai, but also those from Taiwan.  
 
2001

With the celebration to the 10^th anniversary of HKUST, the title of this event was changed to HKUST 10^th Anniversary Asian Collegiate Fencing Championships. This event had attracted universities from Taiwan, Macau and Singapore as well. 

2002 (1^st IFIT)

The title of Fencing Invitation Tournament (FIT) was changed officially to HKUST International Fencing Invitation Tournament (HKUSTIFIT). Seven universities were invited and over 140 fencers from all over the world gathered at HKUST for this event. The number of participants increased by nearly 50% with fencers coming from the United States, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Macau and Shanghai. There were complements and positive feedbacks from the overseas fencers.  

2003 (2^nd IFIT)

Year 2003 was a tough year. Many major international events were called off as SARS hit HK. Fortunately HKUSTIFIT could still be organized in schedule but the number of participants as well as the regions of the university involved was greatly reduced. This is indeed highly understandable .Yet local colleges and high schools were first time being invited for this professional event.  

2004 (3^rd IFIT)

The scale of IFIT expanded further in Year 2004, with fencers coming from London, the United States, Singapore and Macau, the total number of participants from overseas was around 35. Besides, there were total around 110 participants from ten local Universities and the elite teams from local secondary schools.  

2005 (4^th IFIT)

With the remarkable achievement in previous years, IFIT of this year is a great success. There are numerous new comers from ShenZhen, London and Birmingham. Besides, we are grateful to the continuous support of the universities from Macau, Singapore and Hong Kong, and the elite teams from local secondary schools as well. 

2006 (5^th IFIT)

In celebration of the 15^th anniversary of HKUST, the 5^th IFIT is held as an event of the InterFest, an intellectual and cultural activity which promotes international friendship. Capitalizing on the remarkable achievement in previous years, the 5^th IFIT has scaled the heights in becoming more professional and international. There are quite a few fencers coming from London, Singapore, China and Macau to compete with teams from local universities.