Limpopo fencers shine at national championships
Limpopo fencers impressed at the Senior National Championships in Midrand, with standout performances, multiple medals, and rising national rankings.
POLOKWANE – The Fencing Federation of South Africa hosted the Senior National Championships in Midrand on May 3 and 4, where top fencers from across the country competed for national titles in the épée, foil and sabre categories.
Despite facing financial constraints, Limpopo fielded a small but determined team of nine senior fencers.
The delegation included five athletes from the Sello Maduma Fencing Academy (SMFA), three from the University of Limpopo (UL) Fencing Club, and one from Firebirds Fencing Club.
“Despite the small team, Limpopo made a big impact,” said Renuka Ramroop, veteran fencer and chairperson of the Limpopo Fencing Association.
Leading the team was SMFA’s Rahul van Manen, who delivered a standout performance by earning three medals across all three disciplines.
Van Manen, ranked third nationally in senior men’s épée heading into the championships, won silver in a tightly contested final – narrowly losing by a single point to South Africa’s top-ranked fencer.
This result elevates him to second place in the national rankings.
He went on to claim another silver medal in the senior men’s foil, defending the gold he won earlier this year in Gqeberha.
Though he narrowly missed repeating his title, his consistent performance now ranks him as the number one foil fencer in the country. He also secured a bronze medal in the sabre event, capping off an impressive all-round showing.
Ramroop said that all Limpopo athletes advanced beyond the individual pool stages and improved their national rankings, a reflection of the province’s rising competitiveness.
UL fencers Katlego Matladi and Mpho Mpe fought tenaciously, while SMFA’s Sebastian Austin delivered a strong performance, now ranked 10th nationally in senior men’s épée.
With Van Manen at number two and Austin at number ten in the national épée rankings, Limpopo now boasts two fencers in the top 10 – a significant milestone for the province.
The female fencers also made their presence felt. Safiya Khan Patel was placed eighth in the senior women’s épée and continued to show promise in the foil category.
Ramroop herself earned a bronze medal in the veterans’ division and maintains her national number three ranking.
In the team event, Limpopo’s Team A, comprising Matladi, Mpe, Austin and Van Manen, secured a bronze medal.
The team staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a four-point deficit in the final three minutes to win 45–43.
“Although fencing is still developing in Limpopo compared to other provinces, our athletes continue to show exceptional talent and determination. They are proving they can compete with the best and bring home medals,” Ramroop said.
