Sharon High School students have many hidden talents, one of which belongs to senior Eric Li. Since elementary school, Eric has been pursuing his passion for fencing. Even though the sport isn’t offered at SHS, Eric regularly participates in competitions. His resume includes 881 scored victories and counting. Beyond the junior level, Li plans to continue his fencing career at Boston College, a Division 1 program.
Li’s entry into fencing wasn’t planned. “A coach from China was offering classes at my Sunday Chinese school when I was 8,” he recalled. “My parents had me try it out, and I liked it.”
What began as a casual activity quickly became a part of Eric. The blend of athleticism and strategy hooked him. Now a national medalist, Li balances intense training, schoolwork, and the mental challenges of a sport that demands both focus and footwork. Through ups and downs, he’s carved his own path, mixing hard work with a sense of humor—and always wearing something red for good luck.
Li vividly recalled one thing about his first fencing experience: “My legs were like noodles.” He said the sport’s awkward stance can feel like squatting and lunging like a ninja, but less graceful. However, it didn’t take long for him to begin to love the mix of athleticism and strategy. “It’s like physical chess,” Li explained. “I really like that in fencing, there’s no one way to win—you can choose to be strong, fast, or just super wiggly. There are people that can squirm their way out of everything, like a worm.”
Of course, fencing isn’t just about swinging a sword—mental toughness plays a large role. “My coaches would make us sing impromptu in front of the whole club to help with confidence,” Li said. “If they thought you weren’t confident enough during a bout, they’d just walk away.”
Li’s fencing career took off when he was 10 years old: “My coach was competitive. Once you’re old enough to fence in national events, it’s game time.” His hard work and persistence paid off in 2021, when he won his first national gold medal at the age of 13. This achievement marked a significant turning point in his career. However, the biggest challenge for Li came during the Cadet (16 and under) events: “That’s when it really mattered for recruitment, and I struggled a lot with consistency.”
Two years ago, Li encountered another obstacle. “I didn’t warm up properly and my ankle started hurting,” he explained. “I had to wear an ankle brace while fencing for months, but now I’m good as new.” He added, “You get a lot of minor cuts and bruises, but that stuff goes away in like a week.”
Li’s love for fencing extends beyond the sport itself. He reflected, “I’ve learned to be more adaptable and think quicker, and fencing taught me to manage my time since I miss a lot of school every year for competitions.” And let’s not forget his unique pre-competition ritual. “I always wear something red,” he revealed. “I’ve got red underwear and a red shirt—it’s a whole thing.”
As for guiding figures, Li pointed to Miles Chamley-Watson, a fencer with a “cool British accent.” “‘Create a legacy, not a moment,’” Li quoted before adding, “He’s just a chill guy.”
With college fencing on the horizon and plenty of lessons learned along the way, Li advised newcomers to “find what you enjoy about fencing. It’s not just about the points or medals—it’s about discovering who you are under pressure.”
And what if Li hadn’t chosen fencing? “I have no idea,” he reflected. “But I think I made the right choice.”