Tritons duo shines on national stage as UCSD records one of its strongest NCAA fencing performances in program history.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. | UC San Diego fencing continued its rise on the national stage as Nurzhan Abzhanov and Sunny Sharma earned Honorable Mention All-America honors at the NCAA Men’s National Collegiate Fencing Championships, marking a major milestone for the Tritons program.
Competing in the highly competitive epee discipline, Sharma capped his collegiate career with a ninth-place finish, while freshman standout Abzhanov placed 12th, announcing his arrival as one of the sport’s emerging talents.
Sharma Finishes Strong in Final Season
Sharma delivered one of the most impressive performances of his career, finishing with a 14-9 overall record across two days of competition. His ability to win tight bouts proved critical, as 10 of his matches were decided by a single touch—including six victories.
The senior’s ninth-place finish marked a significant leap from his 21st-place result a year ago, underscoring his growth and consistency at the highest level of collegiate fencing.

