While fencing is one of the more unique sports worldwide, Cal High has an individual that excels among his competition.
Senior Rylan Kuo has been fencing since he was nine years old.
Kuo got into fencing because the actions of the swords and the dueling appealed to him, especially while he was watching his older brother fencing when he was seven years old.
“I just thought it was really cool just seeing all the swords,” Kuo said.
Since then, Kuo has been fencing his way to the Junior National and Junior Olympic competitions, as well as earning a high regional ranking in the sport.
Kuo is a C-rated fencer, which is above average. The A rating is the highest for a fencer and an E rating is the lowest. Kuo is ranked 102 regionally in the junior circuit for fencers born between 2005 and 2011. The circuit is comprised of about 13 divisions spread throughout the United States.
The top 250 fencers are ranked by USA Fencing, which regulate the sport’s competitions throughout the nation.
The ranks of athletes are determined by their performance during the tournaments, which are classified based on the ratings of participants. For example, if there are a lot of A rating fencers, then the tournament would be an A rated tournament.
There also are ranked tournaments where fencers can earn a spot among the top 250 regionally.
Kuo was always in the shadow of his brother, who is also a C-rated fencer and competes at UC San Diego.
Kuo’s fencing coach, Sarah HeinHeimler, has coached both brothers and observed their skills, training, and performances throughout their careers.
“[Rylan] is a better fencer than his older brother,” coach HeinHeimler said.
Kuo’s work ethic proved that he was bound to surpass his brother, something he demonstrated during the competition where he earned his C rating.
“Rylan was putting in a little more effort,” HeinHeimler said. “I told him, ‘If you keep fencing like this, you’re going to be a better fencer than your brother’.”
Kuo qualified for last summer’s Junior Nationals and the Junior Olympics. He earned 110 points in regional competitions to qualify for both of these championships.
Kuo’s speed, attacks and energy he brings to the sport highlight his strengths as a fencer.
“He’s very strong. I envision him getting his B rating” HeinHeimler said. “He’s very dedicated, he’s committed to his craft and is a hard worker, so he’s a perfect student athlete.”
Several Cal High fencers said it’s very difficult to achieve a rating, even an above average one like a C.
“It’s pretty hard to get a C rank. I just think it takes a lot of hard work and time,” said junior Owen Burlingame, who is president of Cal High’s Fencing Club. “It’s a decently hard sport. There’s a lot of strategy, so it’s more of less learning skills and more applying them.”
Junior Luke Melvin, the treasurer of the club, recently took up the sport and attests to the strenuous effort it takes to earn a C rating.
“It’s fairly difficult,” Melvin said. “But it’s [fencing] pretty rewarding when it becomes hard.”
Earning a higher rank will help fencers get recruited for the collegiate level.
“I’d like to fence in college, but I’m not sure that I’m at that level,” Kuo said. “I’d definitely want to go to [UCSD]. It’s the best on the West Coast.”
HeinHeimler believes Kuo would do well in a collegiate fencing environment.
Kuo mainly fences for a smaller club based at Las Positas Community College, where 15 fencers have created a tight-knit community.
“It’s more like a family vibe there, which I like,” Kuo said. “It’s a really nice culture.”
Kuo competes in Épée fencing where fencers can hit anywhere on the body and simultaneous touches are allowed. If a fencer and their opponent hit each other at the same time, they both get a point.
In the fencing competitions in which Kuo has participated, there are two sections, the direct elimination rounds and pool bouts.
Kuo’s future in the sport of fencing is very bright with many possibilities and opportunities for the ranked fencer up ahead.
“He’s just a great guy. I can’t say enough about the quality of his personality and the efforts, HeinHeimler said. “I truly appreciate it and having him fence with me for all these years.”
