The Austin Fencers Club will host a USA Fencing national competition in Round Rock Dec. 9-11. The Austin Challenge Super Youth Circuit and Cadet Fencing Tournament will be held at the Round Rock Sports Center, 2400 Chisholm Trail, Round Rock. The event is free and open to the public. “Interest in the sport of fencing has grown significantly since the last Olympics, and we are so honored to host the Austin Challenge again this year in Round Rock,” Round Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Nancy Yawn said. The Austin Challenge tournament will host youth fencers from throughout the U.S. It has grown by more than 100 participants and has been upgraded from a regional to a national tournament since last year. Approximately 400 fencers ages 8-16 will compete in 24 events. Fencing Master and Austin Fencers Club Head Coach Eric Mallet said working closely with leaders in Round Rock helped secure and plan the event. “The support and collaboration of the Round Rock CVB and Round Rock Sports Center leadership staff was critical to Round Rock winning the bid for this fencing tournament two years in a row,” Mallet said. “The event last year was a huge success and allowed us to grow this into a larger tournament that now also allows fencers to earn national points toward the national championship in the summer.” Individual competitions will be held throughout the weekend from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the competition. The Austin Challenge serves as a qualification path for the USA Fencing National Championships, which are July 1-10 in Salt Lake City.