Capitol Division has teamed with the National Cherry Blossom Festival® to present the 31st annual Cherry Blossom Open on April 6-7.

The Cherry Blossom Open is a highly regarded regional tournament that attracts over 125 fencers from around the Mid-Atlantic region. In past years, competitors have included US and foreign National Team members and Olympians.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival® commemorates the 1912 gift to the city of Washington of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and celebrate the continued close relationship between our two peoples. More than 700,000 people visit Washington each year to admire the blossoming cherry trees that herald the beginning of spring in the nation's capital. The Capitol Division US Fencing Association joined the National Cherry Blossom Festival® sports program in 2001.

For more information on the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, please refer to their website at http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

Most events at the Cherry Blossom Open achieve A1 rating status, which allows Capitol Division to award "A" classifications, the highest classification in US Fencing.

The Cherry Blossom Open is the final event of the annual Chesapeake Challenge Circuit, co-hosted by the Harrisburg, Maryland, Virginia, and Capitol Divisions. Points are awarded to the top competitors at each CCC competition, culminating with the Cherry Blossom Open where the point leader will be awarded the 2001-2002 Chesapeake Challenge Circuit championship.