Fencing World Championships 2026!

Kia Ora Koutou,

My name is Claire Cooper and I am a fencer from New Zealand and I have been selected to attend World Championships this year! I am fully self funded and I work as a Speech therapist to fund myself. This year I want to attend the Fencing World Championships, hosted in Hong Kong, taking place in July.

I am one of New Zealand's strongest fencers and I have been on the national team since I was 18. I have been to the Asian zone championships in 2025, placing 36th. I previously attended world championships in Milan 2023 and Commonwealths in 2022. Alongside these events, I have attended number of World Cups and zonal championships since 2019.

I am entirely self funded and all of these events rely on my own savings and the generosity of others. Any contribution is so appreciated and I am so grateful for the support! Each event is roughly 5000 dollars and I try to attend 1-2 every year.

Fencing is my life and I put so much time, energy, blood sweat and tears into it. Anything is appreciated and I simply want to do my country, my family and myself proud at this upcoming event.

Ngā mihi nui,

Claire