Junior fencers ‘allez’ for gold at national champs
A total of 120 fencers from seven provinces competed in this year’s two-day Junior National Fencing Championships at the Jack Botes Hall.
POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Fencing Association (LFA) hosted the Junior National Fencing Championships at the Jack Botes Hall over the weekend.
A total of 120 fencers from seven provinces across the country competed in this year’s two-day championship.
Fencers competed in three categories: Epée, foil and sabre in age groups from u/11 to u/20.
Limpopo were represented by 41 fencers from E tla Naso Project, Sello Maduma Fencing Academy and Firebirds Fencing Club, who bagged four gold and two bronze medals.
The championship was some of the fencers’ first competition and they were amazed by the level of their opponents.
The highlight of the event, according to the more experienced fencers, was when local epée fencer Rahul van Manen won his final match to remain on top of the men u/20 youth national championship rankings.
Sebastian Austin improved his ranking while Anokha van Manen won the women’s u/20 epée and foil finals. Her two victories means she will now compete in the senior division.
LFA chairperson Renuka Ramroop said the association is happy with the overall success of the competition.
“I am really pleased with how the competition went and I firmly believe that the committee members and fencers from the University of Limpopo were key to this success. Special thanks should be given to coach Sello Maduma for the voluntary coaching he does at the E tla Naso Project.”
Winners:
• Jayden Ferreira won a gold medal in the u/11 men’s epee category.
• Rahul van Manen won a gold medal in the u/20 men’s epée category and a bronze medal in the foil category.
• Safiya Khan-Patel won a bronze medal in the u/17 women’s epée category.
• Anokha van Manen won two gold medals in the u/20 women’s epée and foil categories respectively.
