By Franchesca Renteria and Kade Thomas
The University of the Incarnate Word wrapped up its NCAA men’s fencing tournament held on March 19-22, 2026, placing last out of 22 universities.
Stacked competition that included Ivy League programs, including Harvard, Columbia and Yale. Notre Dame was victorious, with a total of 183 points.
Junior saber fencer Yassin Kohdir led the way for UIW, finishing 21st overall in final standings. He recorded six victories in 23 bouts – also referred to as matches – and Kohdir credits his mindset for his performance in the tournament.
“Everyone is skilled, so the difference comes down to mindset and experience,” Kohdir said. “I focus a lot on adapting during bouts [and] making quick adjustments.”
His teammate, Adham Shalaby, placed 24 in the final standings, earning three wins in 23 bouts. Despite the results, his performance on the strip aligned with what Kohdir highlighted before the event.
“He doesn’t get intimidated, no matter who he’s facing,” Kohdir said. “He brings a lot of energy to every bout.”
As a team, UIW recorded nine wins in the saber competition. While the final standings may not reflect a preferred tournament outcome, the experience gained competing against these powerhouse programs is significant for the fencing program as a whole.
“Reaching this stage has been the result of years of consistent work and discipline,” Kohdir said.
