Shanghai's sabre show

Fencing masters from around the world will compete in Shanghai this weekend as the Westgate Mall Fencing Grand Prix Shanghai kicks off at Jing'an Stadium.

This is the 15th year that the tournament takes place in downtown Shanghai's Jing'an district.

The semifinals and finals will take place on Saturday and Sunday in the lobby of the Westgate Mall on the bustling West Nanjing Road.

This year the event has attracted around 280 athletes from 29 countries and regions, with China taking a 40-strong team.

Chen Haiwei, who won team bronze at the 2015 world championships, and Rio 2016 Olympian Le Huilin are the highest ranked male and female Chinese, respectively, at the tournament.

China's other top performers include Lei Sheng, a foil gold medalist at the London 2012 Olympics, and Zhong Man, who won sabre gold at the 2008 Beijing Games.

One of the most high-profile sports events of Jing'an district, the grand prix has effectively promoted the development of fencing in the area through the years.

While the cream of the fencing crop compete for the grand prix, an amateur challenge match will also take place.

To boost public participation and interest in the sport, renowned fencers and their coaches will visit local primary schools, and students will be invited to watch the grand prix competitions.

Fencing has enjoyed a spurt in popularity in China since the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, according to Qin Jianqiu, deputy head of the fencing center under the State General Administration of Sports.

In the past few years, club competition has been reformed to encourage more public participation in the sport, which is based on traditional swordsmanship skills.

This, together with international competitions such as this weekend's event in Shanghai, has "accelerated the cultivation of young fencing athletes and promoted sports that help keep Chinese people healthy," said Qin.