By Sportswriters Zhang Yueshan/Sui Lixi

WUXI, China, July 26 (Xinhua) -- China is increasing access to fencing, said the vice president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) in an exclusive interview with Xinhua at the 2018 World Fencing Championships in Wuxi.

Donald Anthony Jr, the vice president of FIE, was a world-class fencer who represented the United States at two Senior World Championships and has been a U.S. National finalist for more than 30 years.

Anthony compared the current situation of fencing in China with 10 years ago. "I've heard the numbers of fencers in China have increased from 5,000 to 250,000 in last ten years," he said.

In his opinion, hosting the World Championships in Wuxi has benefited China's fencing in a variety of ways. "It's historic," Anthony commented. "A lot of youths and adults get access to fencing athletes, collecting their autographs, seeing the actual stars competing. These kinds of things shows China's increasing accessibility to fencing," Anthony told Xinhua.

"Fencing historically has been an aristocratic elite type of sport. Just by the nature of the sport, it wasn't open to the public very much, but what we are doing is inviting more people to fencing," he said, adding that more manufacturers at present are making fencing equipment more affordable.

He believes another aspect to making fencing more accessible is the transition of how people understand the sport. "There are more amateurs, students, and youths taking part in fencing for a new understanding that it will benefit their academic pursuits," Anthony concluded.

Speaking of his favorite Chinese fencers at this World Championships, he smiled, "I am always impressed with the women's epee team, but what has really been a breakthrough is the women's sabre team, they performed amazingly well this time."

Anthony also spoke highly of this event, "China has done a fantastic job hosting this competition."