The International Fencing Federation (FIE) announced at their general assembly in Guangzhou on Nov 21 that Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, made the winning bid to host the 2018 World Fencing Championship, reported the Wuxi Daily.

Wuxi, with 69 votes, beat the Japanese city of Fukuoka with 47, to become the first city in China to host the World Fencing Championships.

"It's the highest level athletic competition in Wuxi since the founding of new China," the deputy director general of the local sports bureau Zhang Hong said excitedly.

He added that Wuxi has hosted many international sporting events, such as the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final, the World Women's Handball Championship, the World Archery Youth Championships, the Tour of Taihu Lake International Marathon and the World Snooker Championship, all of which increased Wuxi's influence and its ability to organize big events.

Wuxi’s winning bid illustrates Wuxi's favorable conditions and abilities for sporting events, as well as fencing's increasing popularity in China.

It is anticipated that more than 2,000 foreign athletes will attend the competition. As a warm-up, the Asian Fencing Championship 2016 will also be hosted by Wuxi.