The Shanghai Fencing Grand Prix is one of the biggest events on the international fencing calendar. Held at the Haopu Film and Television Base, the 2026 edition brought together more than 400 of the world’s top foil fencers competing for valuable ranking points and international prestige.
For most people, a trip to Shanghai would probably involve sightseeing, shopping and a carefully planned itinerary. For student-athletes like myself, it’s more likely to involve weapons checks, training sessions, competition schedules and figuring out how to fit everything around school and exams.
Thankfully, AirAsia’s schedule worked out perfectly for me. I could attend classes in the morning, head straight to the airport and catch a flight to Shanghai. It meant arriving late, grabbing a few hours of sleep and waking up the next day ready for weapons control and competition preparations. It’s a crazy schedule, but that’s often the reality when you’re trying to balance studies with international sport.
My teachers have been great this semester. The team at Sunway International School (SIS) have helped me cover a ton of work after flight for another tournament were delayed, caused by travelling through an active conflict zone in the Middle East. Dramatic, yes, but that’s a story for another day.
The story on the piste wasn’t quite the script I had written for myself, but that’s fencing. The guys that I had on my radar had my number, but on the bright side I was able to pick up the scalps of some of the higher ranked fencers. Including one who is currently ranked in the top 100. Lots of work to do with Coach Andrew when I’m back in the club. There are only a few weeks to go before the Asian Championships in India which is important for individual and team rankings.
On weapon’s check day I had the good fortune to bump into Bryce Louie with my teammates from Malaysia, he was fresh from his gig hosting the World Fencing League, which was laced with Hollywood glamour. Little did I know that entertainment was going the be the theme of the weekend. Anyway, I’m looking forward to getting some time on the piste with Bryce Louie at the upcoming Starry Camp in Taiwan this August. The fencing world is surprisingly small, one of the best parts of travelling is meeting people who are helping to grow the sport in different ways.
For accommodation, I stayed at The Stage Shanghai. It wasn’t one of the official tournament hotels, but it was only about five minutes away from the venue, which made life incredibly convenient. The hotel’s name makes perfect sense when you realise it’s located right next to Shanghai Film Park.
What really caught my attention, however, wasn’t the location. It was the technology. Whenever I ordered room service or requested extra towels, a robot would show up at my door. Not a staff member. A robot.
The little delivery machines quietly navigated the hotel corridors, took the lift by themselves and called your room upon arrival. It felt like something out of a science-fiction film. As amusing as it was, it also got me thinking. If the country with the largest population in the world is actively pursuing a reduced human-capital footprint through automation, perhaps the rest of us should be paying attention.
The competition venue itself was equally impressive.
Shanghai Film Park, also known as Chedun Film Park, served as more than just a backdrop. Entertainment is clearly becoming part of the strategy for modern fencing events. The World Fencing League has embraced this approach, and now the Shanghai Grand Prix appears to be doing the same. The venue blended sport and spectacle in a way that felt fresh and exciting.
My favourite part was the final piste.
Set against the cinematic surroundings of the film park, it transformed the competition into something that felt larger than life. China has always embodied the phrase “go big or go home”, and with a population of more than a billion people, grand ambitions seem to come naturally.
As if Shanghai wasn’t busy enough, President Donald Trump happened to be visiting China at roughly the same time, although thankfully he was up north in Beijing and not competing for ranking points in the men’s foil event.
Food-wise, I have to admit I wasn’t the best tourist.
Between competition schedules and travel commitments, I didn’t have much time to hunt down hidden culinary gems. My most memorable discovery was probably some of the unusual little deserts available at Starbucks. Not exactly authentic Shanghai cuisine, but travelling athletes often become experts at finding quick and familiar options between events. Good food is the fuel we need to make things happen.
Once the tournament concluded, I finally had a chance to explore Shanghai Film Park properly. The park recreates different eras of old Shanghai and has been used for countless film and television productions. Walking through the streets felt a little like stepping onto a movie set, which was fitting given that the drama of the world’s best foil fencers had just spent several days turning fencing into a form of live entertainment.
As always, the trip ended far too quickly. That’s the thing about travelling for sport. You spend months preparing, a few days competing and before you know it, you’re back at the airport heading home.
Next year, I hope my schedule is a little kinder. I’d love to spend more time exploring the city itself. A cruise along Shanghai’s famous waterfront is definitely on the list, along with seeing more of what makes this city one of Asia’s most fascinating destinations.
Until then, Shanghai will remain another memorable page in the life of a travelling fencer, a city of grand stages, giant ambitions and surprisingly efficient robots.
NHA’s “Confessions of a Travelling Fencer” is a personal story of what a young Malaysian fencer, Saif Nordin, gets to experience off the piste, as he travels the world for the sport he loves. Saif believes it’s important to remember that “Not everything that glitters is Gold”. He said, “Even as a fencer, we love the taste of victory and the gold around our necks.”