This study examined the characteristics and impacts of fencers’ experiences in national team selection trials and derived practical implications. Open-ended questionnaires were collected from 79 fencers with selection experience and analyzed using i...
This study examined the characteristics and impacts of fencers’ experiences in national team selection trials and derived practical implications. Open-ended questionnaires were collected from 79 fencers with selection experience and analyzed using inductive content analysis. The results revealed four key themes. First, fencers perceived the selection trials as distinct from other competitions in terms of difficulty, significance, psychological readiness, and experiential quality. Second, the trials fostered differences in mindset, including enhanced psychological preparation, motivation, and strategic exploration. Third, participation acted as a catalyst for self-reflection, performance improvement, and career development. Finally, fencers reported acquiring essential lessons related to competitive resources, athlete attitude, growth direction, and self-assessment. Overall, the selection trials were regarded as highly meaningful developmental experiences requiring greater psychological and tactical preparation, highlighting the need to reflect these insights in coach and athlete education.