FENCING: Bulldogs battle for victory at Philadelphia Invitational
Despite injuries, men’s and women’s teams secure winning records at the tournament.

Yale Athletics
Last Sunday, Yale’s fighting fencers clawed their way to hard-fought victories at the Philadelphia Invitational in their first match of the Spring semester.
Fresh off winter break, the bouting Bulldogs took the fight to their opponents in the city of brotherly love, squaring off against nine total teams across the day’s matches. Haverford, Wagner and Penn — the tournament’s host — all fell to the Elis’ blades. Tying Princeton in a 13-13 nailbiter in the women’s competition, the only losses of the day came at the hands of Princeton in the men’s competition and Temple in the women’s competition.
“We fenced well after the break,” Coach Marat Israelian told the News, “and things look good for us this season, very strong even with the injuries. We have a very cohesive team here that is fighting better and is better prepared to face the other Ivies in the next competitions and the finals.”
Despite injuries, which have left the women’s team short one fencer in matches — an automatic forfeit — and the men’s team not at full strength, the Duelling Dans managed to slash and stab comfortable and close victories, reflecting the underdog status that has characterized their season.
Many on the team, especially on the women’s team, have attributed this success to each other and their work together as a team. The presence and support of their fellow comrades have given the team the confidence and the grit to overcome the slugout matches and the big moments.
When asked about the invitational, men’s team captain and épée wielder Tony Whelan ’26 said, “We won as a team; everyone did a great job. Where one squad struggled, the other pulled through, especially against these good fencing schools like Princeton.”
While no victory was claimed over the Tigers, the men’s 10-17 loss and women’s 13-13 tie are signs of improvement worth celebrating. For the men’s team, the loss is a marked step up from the 7-20 defeat of their last matchup, as well as the similar and frequent underperformances of past seasons. For the women’s team, the tie broke a seven game-loss streak to those furry friends.
In addition, Yale has risen in the collegiate fencing rankings, securing top ten positions this season. With an overall record of 16–3 and a USFCA record of 13–2, the men’s team is ranked No. 2 behind Notre Dame. For the women’s team, with an overall record of 20–3–1 and a USFCA record of 15–2, Yale’s female fencers are ranked No. 5.
“This is the last meet before Ivies, and we showed up and showed out like we have all season,” Women’s team captain and Foil fencer Erica Hooshi ’25 told the News. “I am very confident in my ladies. When we get to Ivies, it is going to be awesome. We will be at full strength and full potential then. #Proud.”
The Fencing teams will compete next in the Yale Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 1, in the Payne Whitney Gymnasium.