Exciting New Additions: Columbia University’s Fencing Team Unveils Newcomers for the 2025-26 Season!

Exciting New Faces Join Columbia Fencing for 2025–26 Season

Columbia University’s fencing team is gearing up for the 2025-26 season, and they’ve welcomed a promising group of new athletes. Head coach Michael Aufrichtig recently introduced 18 newcomers, which includes 15 first-year students and one transfer. These athletes come from five different countries: the United States, Canada, Egypt, China, and Singapore.

The team is split evenly, with nine male and nine female fencers. They will compete across three disciplines: epee, foil, and sabre. Notably, seven fencers will be working with epee, six with foil, and five with sabre.

Aufrichtig expressed his excitement about the new recruits. He emphasized their international backgrounds and impressive academic achievements, but what stands out most is their character. “They value accountability, selflessness, and growth. That’s what we aim for in our program,” he said. These qualities are essential as Columbia builds on its history of fencing excellence.

Meet the New Team Members

Women:

• Barbara Bezuglaya | Epee | Pacific Palisades, CA
• Mikayla Chusid | Foil | Franklin Lakes, NJ
• Nadia Hayes | Foil | West Vancouver, BC
• Jayna Kim | Epee | Las Vegas, NV
• Hannah Lee | Sabre | Wellesley, MA
• Katerina Lung | Foil | Lexington, MA
• Nicole Xuan | Epee | Toronto, ON
• Angelina Yang | Sabre | Monterey Park, CA
• Valentina Zheng | Sabre | Livingston, NJ

Men:

• Misha Bezrodnov | Epee | Mountainside, NJ
• Sasha Bezrodnov | Epee | Mountainside, NJ
• Marcos Cano | Foil | Miami, FL
• Ian Chen | Foil | Macao, China
• Matthew He | Epee | Mahomet, IL
• Caleb Jeon | Foil | Fort Lee, NJ
• Julien Lim | Epee | Singapore
• Gabriel McCarthy | Sabre | New York, NY
• Zeyad Nofal | Sabre | Cairo, Egypt

This diverse group is poised to make a significant impact on the team’s future.

In recent years, fencing has seen a surge in popularity, especially among younger athletes. According to a 2022 report from the National Federation of State High School Associations, fencing participation has grown by over 15% in the last decade. This growth reflects the sport’s exciting nature and the increasing visibility of events like the Olympics.

Social media is buzzing with interest in the sport, particularly with viral clips showcasing thrilling matches. These trends highlight how fencing is not just about competition; it’s about community and shared experiences.

As Columbia’s fencing team prepares for the challenges ahead, it’s clear that these newcomers are ready to contribute to the program’s ongoing success.

For updates on Columbia Fencing, follow their journey on social media: Twitter, Instagram, and their website at GoColumbiaLions.com.

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