Zhang Zhenggang (Head coach)

"The purpose of fencing is not just about winning trophies and medals. It is about the pursuit of realizing your own potential, by overcoming many obstacles in your way and triumphing against your own weaknesses. It is also about living in the moment, and enjoying the beautiful game for what it is. In the heat of a fencing match, you can never feel more alive, and in the end you emerge a stronger, more tenacious and more confident individual."

I am Zhang Zhenggang, a passionate fencer from Singapore who loves to learn and teach about this ancient sport of sword-fighting. 

I have been fencing for half my life – driven by my passion for the sport, and the many inspiring lessons it has taught me. I am proud to say that fencing has shaped me into who I am today.

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If I have to use one word to describe my sporting journey thus far, it’s got to be “arduous”. Being of a smaller build, my physique is not especially favorable for my sport, and I always need to work the extra mile for the extra reach. I had a relatively late start to the sport (at 15) and the international competitive league (at 20), and when things were finally looking good, I tore my ACL which required a reconstructive surgery. In other words, I had to relearn how to walk and fence again. It was a devastating blow, but it made me more determined to not only come back, but to excel further than before. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the support I had received during that down time, and I quickly picked myself up from my fall. Two years later, I was proud to win in the same competition that I have suffered my injury from (Asean University Games).

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As I began to pursue bigger dreams (to qualify for the Olympic Games) I pushed myself harder and also tried to find smarter ways to train and fence. I then made a daring decision to relocate to Italy for 1.5 years to train with some of the top fencers in the world. It was an eye-opener and it redefined what fencing is to me. 

I think the transition from athlete to coach was a very natural one. I enjoyed sharing my learnings, and it is especially fulfilling when my students gave me positive feedback of how I had inspired them and pushed them to improve. To me, it is important that they have fun in the process, and love the sport which I love so very much too. 

As literal as it is, I hope Champions’ Forge is a place where we forge champions – not necessarily in competitions, but in life. Like scaling a mountain, I hope my students find it in themselves to overcome whatever comes their way, and emerge as champions of their own right at the very end. 

AN ATHLETE, COACH AND CRUSADER
FOR SPORTS, FITNESS & MOVEMENTS​