“I really didn’t start to compete in fencing until the eighth grade because I was competing in chess and didn’t have time for both,” Shin recalled. “Even though I started later than most, coaches encouraged me because fencing is often referred to as ‘physical chess.’ Both are very tactical and force you to think at least one step ahead and anticipate what your opponent is going to do.”
Shin was born in Irvine, California, but lived in New York City from the time he was two years old, growing up in Battery Park from 1999 to 2016 before his family moved to the Upper East Side. “I got into chess early and also played soccer and basketball,” Shin said. “I really enjoyed soccer, particularly watching Manchester United in the Premier League. Being Korean, I enjoyed following Korean player Park Ji-Sung.”
From the time he started fencing with his best friend, Shin took lessons at the Fencers Club on New York’s west side. “When I started competing, I was always behind my peers. Kids my age were slightly better than me and I was always a bit behind in national results,” Shin recollected. “I would look up to the older guys because there were a lot of world-class fencers, including world champions and Olympic medalists.”
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