30 April 2025
St Hugh’s undergraduate student awarded fencing half blue
Congratulations to St Hugh’s undergraduate student Will Osborne (Mathematics, 2021) who was awarded a half blue for competing in the recent Varsity match on behalf the Oxford Blues Fencing team.
Will started fencing at his local clubs 13 years ago, and has been competing for 10 years in team events for his region (West Midlands), individually in national and international competitions (reaching 32nd in U20 GB national ranking), and most recently in the Men’s Blues team for Oxford, the latter for which he is Treasurer.
Will said, ‘Fencing requires a unique combination of agility, precision and tactics. On the one hand, it is not enough just to be a strong fencer, you must find the right strategy and choose the best moment to strike. On the other hand, it is not just a tactical game, you also need the strength and technique to execute your plan. It’s the balance between all of these elements which makes the sport so engaging and enjoyable for me. It has been a real privilege to play for the Oxford Blues and I am hoping that we can win the Varsity next year, not least so that I can earn a full blue!’
‘Everyone at St Hugh’s has been very supportive, particularly my tutors who have given me a lot of momentum in my studies which I hope to keep going in my final year.’
