The NYU Qilin Sparring club held its tryouts for a big student turnout last week, highlighting campus interest in martial arts and kickstarting what is sure to be a boxalicious semester.

Of the 43 students trying out, only 10 would make the cut.

The sparring club focuses on individual boxing training: five experienced student coaches each pick two novice boxers to train throughout the semester, culminating in a tournament at the end to showcase what students have learned, and crown a ‘most-improved-puncher’ award (not really, but there is a winner).

A sparring coach and club co-president, Howland Cui, made it clear what it takes to be a sparring club member: “Will. It doesn’t matter if you’re good or physically capable, what matters is if I can see you push through.”

But don’t confuse it with other clubs: boxing is not the average sports team.

“The way the club is structured makes it naturally competitive, but so is the sport of boxing,” Cui said. “It's an individual sport, not a team sport, so it should be considered differently from the other club sports NYU Shanghai offers.”

That being said, Cui invited anyone and everyone to join. “Everyone should learn to protect themselves, boxing’s not just about hurting people.”

These past tryouts were nothing short of intense.

Elijah VanderMolen, a graduate student with previous boxing experience, said that “the vibe of the tryouts was a little more intense than I bargained for, but I thought they were good, judging by what the actual sparring team will be like.”

While the sparring club has hit its stride here in Shanghai, there is no such thing on the New York campus. Study away student and fellow tryout George Wen thought a similar martial arts club would be well suited for NYU New York students.

“I think it would be a good addition as there aren’t many martial arts or combat sports clubs on the main campus which is an underserved niche I feel.”

In addition to the sparring club, the Qilins also work with the M23 boxing gym to charter beginner classes for all NYU Shanghai students every week, which are taught by certified professionals. The classes are held weekly in B217, Thursdays at 6:30 pm.