A Selwyn College student has come top in an inter-university Chinese competition after impressing the judges with her sword-dancing skills and breadth of cultural knowledge.

Frances Gregory, a student with the Department of East Asian Studies, won the top prize at the 7th UK Varsity Chinese Competition. The competition strives to find the UK’s best young scholar of Chinese language and culture. Frances will now have the chance to represent Britain at the international heats in Beijing in July.

Frances won over both the judges and the audience with an impressive performance of Chinese sword-dancing and also scored top points in most question categories. She demonstrated an admirable understanding of architecture in Beijing and knowledge of ancient Chinese proverbs.

She was praised, in particular, for showing an in-depth awareness of traditional Chinese culture and current affairs. Frances also gave a speech, in Chinese, which used examples drawn both from Western and Eastern societies in support of equal rights between women and men.

In recognition of her hard work and efforts, France’s tutor, Ms Pei-yi Wu, also won the Best Instructor prize at the same event.

“We worked really hard for this competition and I am very pleased that Frances won the top prize; it is a great win for her as well as the University,” Ms Pei-yi Wu, a lector of Chinese at the Department of Eastern Asian Studies, said.

“The next step will involve plenty more hard work, but hopefully we will be able to see her through to victory in the world Varsity competition this summer.”

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