Fencing in the News

[LongBlade]

Report: Iranian fencer goes missing
By the CNN Wire Staff
CNN International
November 17, 2010

edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/17/iran.fencer.missing/

Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- An Iranian fencer who competed at an event in France has gone missing, a semi-official Iranian news outlet reported Wednesday.

Mashregh reported that Mohammad Hossein Ebrahimi, a member of the country's fencing team, participated in an event in France but disappeared on the way to an airport. The competition took place between November 4 and last Saturday.

Ebrahimi was scheduled to leave France for Guangju in China for a competition there, Mashregh said.

(Imagine that! An Iranian went missing in France! Who'd ever have thought it?)

[LongBlade]

Olympic champ Zagunis may have long fencing future
The Wall Street Journal/AP
NOVEMBER 17, 2010

online.wsj.com/article/APaf808b953bd74a7a90046c0ee2c7a15a.html

NEW YORK — Mariel Zagunis could see herself fencing at four or five Olympics.

The two-time defending world and Olympic champion hasn't made plans beyond the 2012 London Games, but the American wants to keep competing as long as it feels right.

After all, Zagunis looks up to Valentina Vezzali, the 36-year-old Italian who has won three straight individual Olympic golds in women's foil and seven medals overall since 1996.

Zagunis could match that feat since she earned her first saber gold in Athens at age 19 before repeating in Beijing. Now 25, the Oregon native won her second consecutive world championship on Nov. 6 in Paris.

Zagunis was in New York on Wednesday for Fencing Masters NYC, an event benefiting U.S. Olympic hopefuls at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

[LongBlade]

Wandsworth's Cohen questioned fencing future
By Stuart Amos
The Surrey Comet
25th December 2010

www.surreycomet.co.uk/sport/8752055.Wandsworth_s_Cohen_questioned_fencing_future/

Wandsworth fencer Mary Cohen has revealed a poor showing at the World Championships left her questioning her decision to become a full-time athlete.

The 24-year-old women’s epeé team hopeful put her medical studies on hold in the summer in a bid land a place at the London 2012 Olympics.

Cohen’s team - including Southfields-based Hannah Lawrence and Wimbledon-based Jayne Crook - were humbled in Paris earlier this month where they failed to make it out of the qualifying stages.

And the Kings College London student, who has been encouraged by her recent showing at a European Challenge tournament in France, says it was an experience she will learn from.

“The world’s were so bad I came very close to losing all my confidence,” he said.

“I asked myself why I’d taken the time off my medical studies.

“But I beat the French number four a few weeks after and compared to how I had been fencing, it was a major step forward I can look ahead to next year with confidence.”

The sport was rocked this week when British fencing’s performance director Graham Watts was axed 19 months before the start of the London Olympics, having paid the price for Team GB’s dreadful showing in France.

Cohen’s women’s epeé team expect to have their funding slashed after their poor display, making it harder to qualify for 2012.

And she admits the introduction of a new man at the helm will only increase the uncertainty over her future in the team.

“Graham made it clear that selection for the Olympics would be from the five girls currently in the squad,” added two time British team epeé champion.

“If the new person says everything is open again it will mean I’ll have to do more domestic competition to prove myself again.

“It is a good pressure but I’m confident that when I’m fencing at my best I would still be up there.

“It was a surprise he left. He was very supportive of the women’s epeé team and believed in us, but that could all change now.”

Cohen already has next year’s European Championships in Sheffield, the World Student games in China and the World Championships in Sicily in her sights.

She said: “I leave for a five week training camp in Italy in January and that will be a chance to re-assess everything in different surroundings.

“It takes time to adjust to being a full-time athlete and that has taken my a while to get used to, but we’re getting there and I feel I can look forward to next year.”

[LongBlade]

Salina native recovers from transplant
By Tim Unruh
The Salina Journal
Salina, Kansas
12/24/2010

www.saljournal.com/news/story/ted-hodges-blood-drive-122310

Ted Hodges uses a stash of superlatives to describe his return home to Salina, then to Notre Dame, the fencing team and being just another college kid on the South Bend, Ind., campus.

The 22-year-old Salina Central alumnus is returning to normal after a year of the surreal and fighting to survive.

There aren't enough joyous words available for the young man who's simply enjoying life.


Ted Hodges (right) talks with his brother Grant on
Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 at their Salina home.
(photo by Jeff Cooper/ Salina Journal)

"The whole semester has just been great. That transition into doing pretty hard work wasn't fun, but it was pretty rewarding," Ted said Thursday from his family's home in Salina.

"It was also rewarding being in a daily regimen, a daily rhythm, to live like a normal guy, a college student," he said.

Ted still relishes the miracles that saved his life and is eager to give back, starting with his Team Ted Blood Drive from noon to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Roach and Beloit streets. The drive is being coordinated by the American Red Cross.

Because of the flu season, appointments for the blood drive are low, said Tammy Hunnell, donor recruitment representative for the Red Cross Central Plains Region.

"We had so many people praying for Ted and doing wonderful things for him, it's a way to give back for all the blood products that were given to him," said Melissa Hodges, his mother.

The heart Ted received during the Sept. 15 and 16, 2009, transplant at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., is "doing real well," he said. "I'm really surprised. It's awesome."

He nearly died over the summer of 2009 from a viral infection that affected his heart. But he survived a cardiac arrest and was on life support for several months.

That experience changed Ted's perspective, not to mention that of his loved ones.

"I'm not taking tomorrow for granted. Before, I did," said Boo Hodges, Ted's father.

After seeing the worst of the ordeal during the summer of 2009, Boo, a Salina obstetrician and gynecologist, Melissa, and their youngest, Grant, 20, are delighted that Ted has returned to his senior year at Notre Dame, and to the Fighting Irish fencing team.

"Just the fact he can be normal," Boo said. "Every day's a good day."

The Hodges men spent Thursday afternoon on a hunting excursion.

"After June 15 (2009), I would've been thrilled if he was in a wheelchair and fed through a tube," Boo Hodges said. "This is a bonus."

The virus that attacked Ted's original heart is gone. Ted said he's "physically healthy."

He will take medication for the rest of his life to ensure the donor heart isn't rejected. There are regular visits to St. Luke's and doctors in South Bend for checkups, which so far have been normal.

The only issue during the semester occurred in mid-November. While Ted was at fencing practice at school, a surgically implanted pacemaker with an internal defibrillator set to fire if there were any irregularities in Ted's new heart shocked him, sending him to his knees.

"It just happened. It gave me a quick shock," he recalled. "I didn't lose consciousness. It was nothing life threatening, but it was alarming, very surprising."

Doctors in Kansas City told him the shock was a "random thing." They changed some medicine to correct whatever might have affected the heart's rhythm.

Grant, a sophomore on the team, was fencing when his brother went down. He was relieved to learn Ted was OK.

"You worry about him a lot, but he's doing great," Grant said.

Ted's immediate goals are to enjoy Christmas with his family and help out at the blood drive with a number of Salina Central students and alums who are volunteering.

Then it's back to Notre Dame for the final semester of his senior year. The English major would like to serve a year as an intern for the university athletic department, and then transition into working in sports information or media relations.

But don't count on him losing connections to home.

"I'm very close to this town. There are a lot of great people here," Ted said. "I love Kansas. It's a good place."

[LongBlade]

Courtney Hurley Claims USA Fencing Division I National Championship Gold
Incoming freshman Race Imboden also claims gold in men's foil.
UND.com (Notre Dame Athletics)
April 21, 2011

www.und.com/sports/c-fenc/recaps/042111aaa.html

PORTLAND, Ore. - Junior Courtney Hurley, a member of the national champion Notre Dame fencing team, claimed gold in women's epee at the recently completed USA Fencing Division I National Championship. Incoming freshman Race Imboden also topped the podium, holding off the rest of the field to capture the title in men's foil.

Hurley and Imboden were two of the 21 members of the current or upcoming Irish roster to head to Portland for the Championships. Of the 21 entrants, 10 earned top-10 results in their respective weapon including three of the top five spots in men's foil going the way of Notre Dame.

Hurley advanced out of pool play with a record of 5-1 with a +11 indicator to earn a bye in the table of 64. She moved into the quarterfinals with a 15-3 win over Amy Orlando and a 15-8 decision over Francesca Bassa. The junior then turned in a dominant quarterfinal win over Isis Washington (15-4) before dispatching Holly Buechel in the semifinals (15-9) to set up a matchup with sister and former Irish epeeist Kelley Hurley.

Courtney led throughout the bout, but Kelley came back to tie the score at 14. With one more touch needed for either sister to win the gold, Courtney scored again and successfully defended her 2010 National title.

Ashley Severson, another incoming freshman for Notre Dame, finished sixth at the Championships. She advanced out of pool play with a 5-1 mark and a +8 indicator. Severson advanced into the quarterfinals with wins over Valerie Asher (15-7) and Natalie Vie (15-12) before falling to Buechel (15-11).

The third incoming freshman for the Irish, Nik Nik Ameli, also competed in epee, earning a 23rd-place result. She finished with a pool play record of 3-3 and a +4 indicator, but fell to Cassidy Luitjen in the table of 32, 15-13.

In men's foil, Imboden moved out of pool play with a perfect record of 5-0 and a +15 indicator to enter direct elimination as the second overall seed. He defeated Sherif Farrag (15-4) and Brendan Meyers (15-8) to earn his spot in the quarterfinals. Once there, Imboden fenced two bouts against his soon-to-be teammates.
In the quarters, he held on for a close 15-12 victory over NCAA gold medalist Ariel DeSmet. Imboden then defeated Alexander Massialas, 15-12, to set up a matchup with '10 NCAA foil gold medalist Gerek Meinhardt, who returned to competition for the first time since suffering a knee injury before the season. Imboden's final against Meinhardt remained close throughout as the clock wore down and the score was tied at 13.

"It was a crucial moment in the bout and I buckled down and made sure I started my actions quickly and got my point on," Imboden said.

The gold medal win was not only Imboden's first podium finish at the Division I National Championships, but it also marked the first time he advanced past the table of 16 at the event.

Meinhardt was the fourth overall seed in direct elimination after going 5-1 with a +14 indicator in pool play. He advanced into the finals with wins over Stephen Mageras (15-13) in the quarterfinals and Kurt Getz (15-12) in the semifinals before falling to Imboden. DeSmet, meanwhile, advanced to the table of eight with wins over Alex Chiang (15-7) and W.M. Micah El-Saleh (15-11).

Also competing in men's foil were Steve and Nick Kubik, who finished in 37th and 44th, respectively.

Women's foil also saw five current Irish members take to the strip, with Hayley Reese earning the highest finish of the bunch with her eighth-place result. She earned her spot in the quarterfinals with wins over Ashley Tsue (15-11) and Morgan Partridge (14-11) before falling to Nzingha Prescod (15-6).

Rachel Beck ended in 19th place, while Grace Hartman, Darsie Malynn and Radmila Sarkisova finished 21st, 28th and 39th, respectively.

Only two entrants took to the strip for the Irish in women's sabre, with both Sarah Borrmann (eighth) and Lian Osier (ninth) earning top-10 finishes. Borrmann advanced to the table of eight with wins over Skyla Powers (15-10) and a one-touch victory over Essane Diedro (15-14) but then fell to Sarah Pak (15-8) in the quarterfinals.

Osier, meanwhile, advanced out of pool play with a perfect 6-0 record with a +15 indicator but was upset by Erica Zhao in the round of 16, 15-14.

Men's sabre saw five members compete, with Avery Zuck earning the highest finish with a tie for third. The senior defeated Jeff Spear in the quarterfinals, 15-11, to set up a rematch with NCAA gold medalist Daryl Homer, who defeated Zuck 15-14 for the title. Zuck took Homer to the limit yet again, but fell to his rival by an identical 15-14 score in the semifinals.

Keith Feldman just missed out on the quarterfinals, falling to eventual champion Timothy Morehouse (15-6) in the table of 16. Jason Choy, Alexander Coccia and Kevin Hassett finished in 11th, 28th and 46th, respectively.

James Kaull rounded out the members of the Irish to compete at the Championships, serving as the lone Notre Dame men's epeeist. Kaull finished in 25th place after finishing pool play with a record of 3-2 with a +1 indicator. In direct elimination, he earned a bye into the round of 32 but fell to Teddy Sherrill, 13-7, to conclude his tournament.

[LongBlade]

Hurley wins NCAA fencing title
By Jerry Briggs
MySA.com (San Antonio Express-News)
April 2, 2011

www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/article/Hurley-wins-NCAA-fencing-title-1319424.php

Courtney Hurley, a Notre Dame junior from Warren, will take some momentum into training for the 2012 Olympics after winning the NCAA title in women's épée fencing and helping the Irish to their eighth team title last weekend.

It is the second NCAA title for the Hurley family. Courtney's older sister, Kelley, won the épée championship for Notre Dame in 2008.

Courtney Hurley clinched her NCAA crown last Sunday by defeating Harvard's Noam Mills, 8-7, and the Irish won their first NCAA team title since 2005. Hurley had reached the semifinals each of the past two years before winning gold in the meet at Columbus, Ohio.

[LongBlade]

Clear Lake fencers to compete in honor of late coach
by Cody Tucker
UltimateClearLake.com
May 23, 2011

www.ultimateclearlake.com/stories/246357-clear-lake-fencers-to-compete-in-honor-of-late-coach

Members of the Clear Lake Fencing Club and the Galveston Fencing Club will hold a memorial tournament in honor of the late Walter Jerome "Jerry" Dunaway on Saturday, May 28.

On May 4, the South Houston High School fencing coach passed away following a battle with vascular illness. Dunaway had been a founding member of the Clear Lake Fencing Club in 1993.

In 1994, while teaching at South Houston High School, Dunaway began an after-class fencing club. It grew to include three classes per semester. A number of South Houston fencers have joined the Clear Lake club following graduation.

The tournament was initially organized to expose students at the O'Connell College Preparatory School to the sport of fencing before the school year ended. Beginning next fall, the Galveston Fencing Club will provide fencing instruction to O'Connell students on Monday and Wednesday evenings after classes.

The tournament will be held at 8:30 a.m. in the gym on the campus of the O'Connell School, located at 1320 23rd St. in Galveston.

[LongBlade]

Fencer Alexander Massialas wins medal, earns honor
USA TODAY
May 24, 2011

www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2011-05-24-athlete-of-the-week23_N.htm

Fencer Alexander Massialas won a bronze medal at the Seoul Foil World Cup. The 17-year-old is the youngest athlete to medal at the event. It was his first podium finish outside North America.

He began the competition with a 15-3 win over Thailand's Nontapat Panchan. In the next round, he defeated Italy's Valerio Aspromonte, 15-14. He beat four-time senior world champion Peter Joppich from Germany, 15-11 and upset China's Liangliang Zhang, 15-9 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Massialas lost to three-time senior world medalist Andrea Baldini, from Italy, 15-6. Baldini would eventually win the gold medal. Richard Kruse of Great Britain won the silver medal. Russia's Artem Sedov also won bronze.

"Alexander fenced with great spirit today. Even though he was down in several key matches, he did not let things get to him. He stayed focused on the game plan and being ready to score the final touch in each match," said his coach and father Greg Massialas.

He is USA TODAY's Olympic Athlete of the Week.

[LongBlade]

You Can Do This: Fencing (Saber)
By Sam McManis
The Sacramento Bee
May 26, 2011

www.sacbee.com/2011/05/26/3654043/you-can-do-this-fencing-saber.html

Where to do it here: Among the fencing clubs in the area: Davis Fencing Academy, [phone]; Sacramento Fencing Club in Rancho Cordova, [phone]; Imani Fencing Foundation in Sacramento, [phone]; Hangtown Saber Club in Diamond Springs, [phone]; Hristov-Csikany Fencing Club in Carmichael, [phone].

What's the big deal? Says Chaz Smith, assistant coach of the Hangtown club: "That, to me, is one of the great appeals. They say it takes a lifetime to learn (fencing) and another lifetime to get really good at it. It's engaging over the long term because of that. But unless you have a heart issue or can't stay on task for 15 minutes at a time, anyone can do it. A lot of people ask, 'Isn't it dangerous?' But when researchers looked at all 20 NCAA sports in terms of injury rates, fencing was tied with golf for last place."

Want to learn?

Each club offers adult and children's lessons in saber (the fencing discipline in which you can score points both with the sword's point and blade). The Davis club also offers lessons in foil and epee styles of fencing. Says Smith: "You really need at least four classes to get the basics. The body positioning for fencing is not intuitive, so you have to teach your body certain ways to move, stand and react."

The cost factor: Monthly lessons at clubs range from $60 to $120. As for gear, a basic set – mask, jacket, glove and saber – costs about $150.

Read up: www.davisfencing academy.com; www.hangtown saberclub.com; www.sacfencing.org.

Tell us why you love it:

Already a veteran fencer? Tell us what you love about it. Go to sacbee.com/ outbound and share in the comments field of this item.

Read more: www.sacbee.com/2011/05/26/3654043/you-can-do-this-fencing-saber.html#ixzz1QMEPVxBT

[LongBlade]

Sacksen secures bronze medal in China
The Daily American
May 30, 2011

www.dailyamerican.com/da-ot-sacksen-secures-bronze-medal-in-china-20110530,0,3258456.story

Beijing Olympian and Somerset native Sam Sacksen completed his 2011 World Cup tour Sunday in China by winning the bronze medal in the mixed relay competition.

Along with his teammate, Suzanne Stettinius of Parkton, Md., the USA team combined to capture the bronze medal in the final event of World Cup No. 4 at the Pierre de Coubertin Pentathlon Center in Chengdu, China.

The relay competition followed four days of intense individual events in which Sacksen placed eleventh of 87 competitors to ensure his qualification for the World Cup Final to be held in London, England, in July. The top 36 competitors from the 2011 World Cup Series (which also included Palm Springs, Calf., Sassari, Italy, and Budapest, Hungary) will gather at the pentathlon venue at Crystal Palace in London to compete in the test event for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The London World Cup Final event in July will be the first in a series of qualifiers where Sacksen must compete to earn a spot in the final field of 36 which will travel to the Olympics in August of 2012. The remainder of the 2011 season includes the U.S. National Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo., the World Championships in Moscow, Russia and the Pan American games which will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico in October. Each of these events are part of a complex formula which will determine if he is able to repeat as a representative of the United States at the Olympic Games in 2012.

Modern pentathlon includes five sporting events which are all contested in one day. An epee fencing competition usually starts the competition in which each competitor must fence every other competitor in one bout. The 200 meter swim event is next, followed by the horseback competition where in the pentathlete must ride a course of 15 jumps which can be up to four feet in height on an unknown horse which is selected in a random draw. They are allowed 20 minutes to warm up and familiarize themselves with the horse before they ride their course. The final event is called the Combined where the athletes merge laser pistol shooting and running similar to the winter sport of biathlon. The event starts with the athlete successfully hitting five targets set at ten meters. They will then run a one kilometer course, followed by another five targets, another 1k, five more targets and a final one kilometer run to the finish.

“I am very pleased, my hard training was the key to the final sprint which won us the bronze,” Sacksen said.

Sacksen, 24, was recruited by a representative of the United States Olympic Committee in 2005 when he won the U.S. Pony Club national championship in Lexington, Ky., in the sport of tetrathlon which competes all of the events of modern pentathlon except epee fencing.

He competed in cross country and track in Rockwood and Somerset in high school and learned his riding while competing in events throughout his youth starting at the Somerset Saddle Club in the mid 1990’s. He currently lives and trains in West Chester, Pa.

He fences at the Philadelphia Fencing Academy and the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan. Shooting is coached by his father, Joachim, who is an equine veterinarian in the Somerset area. Both his running and swimming coaches coach at the collegiate and international level. He rides locally in the Philadelphia area with occasional intensive sessions with a coach from his Pony Club days who now trains eventing horses near Ocala, Fla.

[LongBlade]

South Texas Stars: Farrah Le-Elabd
MySA.com
San Antonio Express-News
June 3, 2011

www.mysanantonio.com/sports/article/South-Texas-Stars-Farrah-Le-Elabd-1409305.php

Sport: Youth fencing

Rundown: Le-Elabd, 12, earned a silver medal in the youth 12 women's epee division at the 2011 Pan American Youth Fencing Championships on May 31 in Ixtapa, Mexico. More than 300 fencers from 25 countries competed in the event. Le-Elabd, coached locally by former U.S. Olympian and three-time world champion Velizar Iliev, is a seventh-grade honor student at Alamo Heights Junior School.

[LongBlade]

Adam Omar: Fencing Captain Engages Love Of Science
By: Jon Weinstein
NY1
06/04/2011

www.ny1.com/content/sports/scholarathlete/140366/adam-omar--fencing-captain-engages-love-of-science

While most high schoolers are trying to master algebra or a foreign language, Bronx High School of Science's Adam Omar spent three years working on a science research project. His goal was to determine the effectiveness of an environmental trend know as "Green Roofs."

"Everyone just talks about 'Green Roofs,' but no one really knows how well they work, and after performing research of my own, I realized no one had really done any tests on it," says Adam.

"This research team, they're developing equipment to measure uptake of carbon dioxide by 'Green Roofs,' he spent a lot of time working with them, testing the equipment," says science teacher Julie Mankiewicz.

Adam used a complex equation called the Gradient Flux Technique to reach his conclusion. Last summer, Adam's mentor from Columbia University was using that same technique along the Gulf Coast during the BP Oil Spill, so Adam tagged along.

"It was really a unique experience. I was one of the few people to go down there, and to go with a research group from a university, it was great," recalls Adam.

Adam is National Honor Society member, and an "A" student. He plays the baritone horn, something he plans to continue to do in college. On top of that he's a nationally recognized fencer, who captained the Bronx Science team this year.

"He's not afraid of the competition. He's a leader by example, not by talking. And the people on the team look up to him and they realize he's the leader of the team," says fencing coach Robert Vereb.

"He's a perfect example of where you can excel in school academically, as well as excel in the sport of fencing," says math teacher David Cohen.

Adam is attending one of the top schools in the country, Northwestern University, where he will continue to pursue his passion by majoring in environmental engineering.

"The environment is an area of particular interest to me. 'Green Roofs,' for example, is something that I am very interested in," says Adam.

So, for putting together an impressive list of accomplishments that is sure to expand next year in college, Adam Omar is the latest Health Plus/NY1 Scholar Athlete of the Week.

[LongBlade]

Library to hold fencing demonstration
San Marcos Local News
June 10th, 2011

www.newstreamz.com/2011/06/10/library-to-hold-fencing-demonstration/

The San Marcos Public Library, 625 East Hopkins Street, will hold a fencing demonstration on June 19 at 2 p.m. The demonstration is appropriate for ages six to 16.

Local fencing instructors John and Sean Moreau will exhibit the skills of this exciting and entertaining Olympic sport. Kids who enjoy watching the popular pirate and Robin Hood movies might enjoy seeing the moves and rules of the sport.

For more information on the event, call the library at [phone].

[LongBlade]

Alamo Heights-area girl fences way to the top
By Ana Clarissa Rodriguez
MySA.com
San Antonio Express-News
June 16, 2011

www.mysanantonio.com/community/north_central/news/article/Alamo-Heights-area-girl-fences-way-to-the-top-1423561.php

An Alamo Heights honor student wowed the nation with her fierce, flawless fencing abilities at a Memorial Day weekend fencing competition.

Farrah Lee-Elabd, currently ranked second in the nation within her age-group (Youth 12) and weapon (epee), placed second in the Youth 12 Women's Epee Division at the 2011 Pan American Youth Fencing Championship in Ixtapa, Mexico.

“I honestly never thought I would get this far with fencing,” said Lee-Elabd. “When I first started I just fenced recreationally.”

Lee-Elabd describes her youthful fencing career as a fun and challenging experience, and says it is an honor to represent Team USA when she competes internationally.

“The whole reason I got involved with fencing is because of my mom,” explained Lee-Elabd.

Prior to fencing Lee-Elabd was involved in gymnastics, soccer and softball until her mother, Nina Lee, insisted on enrolling her in a sport that she believed she could do for the rest of her life.

“Fencing is a lifelong sport. People can fence well into their 70s,” said Lee.

“There is a strong physical fitness component about fencing and it's also a mental challenge,” said Darren El-Abd, Farrah Lee-Elabd's father.

“The sport attracts a certain type of kid. Most of the children here are honors students.”

Lee-Elabd is a seventh-grade honors-student at Alamo Heights Junior School and a current member of the Olympian Fencing Club on 14034 Nacogdoches Road. She is coached by Velizar IIiev, a U.S. Olympian and three-time world champion fencer.

“Farrah was ready to move to the next level,” said Nina Lee.

“When we heard Velizar was available in San Antonio, we knew right away that he should be the one to train Farrah. We feel lucky to have him,” El-Abd added.

Lee-Elabd has been training with IIiev since last September. She is preparing to fence in the summer national championships in Reno, Nev. on July 1.

“I've been teaching fencing in-and-out since 1993 and competed professionally for many, many years,” said IIiev.

IIiev coaches Lee-Elabd and several other fencing protégées at the Olympian Fencing Club.

He is currently teaching fencing classes and hosting a summer fencing camp for any individuals interested in learning how to fence. Beginner's classes take place every Wednesday and students are welcome to enroll at any time.

“I am here (Olympian Fencing Club) a lot. I practice Monday through Friday and Saturdays,” said Lee-Elabd.

“I get Sundays off though. Right now I am here doing the fencing camp with my friend from Houston, which is fun, but I really enjoy fencing competitively and am looking forward to my next competition.”

According to IIiev, most competitors, including Lee- Elabd, get involved with fencing and begin competing professionally because of a camp.

“I really enjoy fencing,” exclaimed Lee-Elabd. “I've been doing it now for about five years. I started doing international competitions last year and I've been doing nationals now for about three or four years.”

Lee-Elabd has participated in many competitions and placed first in the 2010-2011 Super Youth Circuit in Houston, third in the 2009-2010 Summer National Championships in Atlanta, first in the 2010 Pan America Youth Fencing Championships in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and third in the 2008-2009 North American Cup in Portland, Ore.

“At all of these competitions you see the same kids and the same parents,” said El-Abd. “And eventually you develop nice friendships.”

Lee-Elabd has met friends her age from all over the United States through fencing and traveling for competitions.

“It's kind of like a family, said Lee-Elabd. “We keep in contact through Facebook. There is a Facebook just for fencing.”

This year for the first time, Lee-Elabd qualified to participate in the Junior Olympics, an honor normally given to athletes 16 years of age and older. She ranked 40 out of 160 participants.

“I see myself doing this for a long time or at least until college. I hope to get a scholarship one day in fencing,” said Lee-Elabd.

[LongBlade]

Fencers wrap up season
by Jaclyn Shambaugh
The Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville, N.C.
6/17/2011

blogs.fayobserver.com/910Rec/June-2011/Fencers-wrap-up-season

The All-American Fencing Academy capped off its season with an end-of-season school championship. Over the course of a weekend, the youth and teens dueled it out to be the top fencer of the AAFA for the year.

On June 10, youth fencers from the academy fenced for the title of top fencer in their age group. Two age groups competed, ages 7-10 and ages 10-12. One fencer, Douglas Kelly, fell in both age groups and competed in both tournaments simultaneously.

In the 7-10 division, Adam Santini, Caroline Berger, Gabriel Guevarra, Douglas Kelly and Jaqueline Cushman participated. After a year of great practice and big strides, all fencers displayed a lot of growth.

"Adam, Caroline and Gabriel all posted great wins. Earlier this year, only one or two would stand out and one or two will have no wins at all. They all posted some wins, and it was becoming more difficult for them to fence each other,"
coach Gerhard Guevarra said.

This was Jaqueline's first tournament. She was able to walk away with one win. Jaqueline's brother Logan also fences in the teen age group. She just started fencing 2 months ago.

Douglas, fitting in two age categories fenced two tournaments that night.

Guevarra said of Douglas, "I can't think of another young fencer that would have had the energy to do that, but Douglas can."

Douglas went undefeated in the age 7-10 category and finishes his year taking gold in all of All-American Fencing Academy's intramural tournaments in that age category.

The results for the age 7-10 group were first: Douglas Kelly, second: Gabriel Guevarra, and tied for third are Carolina Berger and Jaqueline Cushman.

That same night the age 10-12 group competed on a separate fencing strip. Academy powerhouses Ronnie Britton and Baker White, who have won several golds and silvers in home and away tournaments, participated as well as
Jeb Berger, Douglas Kelly and Faiz Nazir.

Ronnie and Baker once again found themselves in the finals. Previously, Ronnie had won several finals bouts against Baker, but Baker got the upper hand during this tournament and was able to top Ronnie 15-12.

The results for the age 10-12 group were first: Baker White, second: Ronnie Britton, and tied for third are Jeb Berger and Douglas Kelly.

On Saturday morning, the All-American Fencing Academy teens faced off for their right to claim top Fayetteville fencer. Returning by special invitation was Baker White, but he had to contend with his older sister Madeline White, Jack Santini as well as stand-out fencer John Murray.


Entering their first competition were Logan Cushman, Austin and Conner Voecks and Deshonnesey Suggs.

While Baker seemed to have an equally dominating day, he didn't expect Jack Santini from handing him a surprising defeat.

"Jack has been working hard all year. He may not have the strongest attacks, but his defense is dead on," says Guevarra said.

Austin, standing above all the other fencers at a near 6 feet tall, had a definite advantage over everyone else. Although this was his first tournament, Austin displayed enthusiastic athleticism, combined with some natural skill and
his height; he accumulated several wins in the bout.

The final about between John Murray and Austin Voecks put Murray to the test. Austin's aggressive style and height advantage proved to be tough for John to defend against and penetrate.

However, John's strip and tactical experience, long attacks and tenacity easily earned him his first gold medal end-of-season victory.

"Looking at all our fencers in the youth and teen category this year, the AllAmerican Fencing Academy looks forward to the next season...we'll really give North Carolina's young fencers a run for their money."

The final results for the teens were first: John Murray, second: Austin Voecks, and tied for third are Baker White and Madeline White.

The All-American Fencing Academy Courts A New Fencing Master

The All-American Fencing Academy is growing. Not only with great competitive fencers, a continuing list of alumni fencing in Division I collegiate program, but in sheer numbers.

"Our recent online discounted offer through Groupon really doubled our numbers. With only 2 half-time coaches, our classes were beginning burst at the seams."The All-American Fencing Academy was lucky to contact Maitre d'Armes Paul Uyleman. Paul Uyleman is a fencing master formerly from California who is looking to relocate to North Carolina. Fortunately, The All-American Fencing Academy was looking for a new coach.

As a fencing master, Paul Uyleman is able to teach all three weapons at a variety of levels. But his strength lies in epee and sabre.

"This will give the All-American Fencing Academy a competitive edge in more than just one weapon," notes Coach Gerhard. "It will also give us experienced coaching talent to transition our fencers from regional competitors to national level competitors."

Over the course of two weeks, Paul Uyleman has been providing advanced training camps for the All-American Fencing Academy youth, teen and adult fencers. He also provided a coaches clinic for some of North Carolina's young fencing coaches.

The All-American Fencing Academy hopes to put Paul Uyleman on the coaching roster in the fall.

The All-American Fencing Academy will be continuing its beginner classes throughout the summer and will also offering a 3-day Beginner's Camp from August 5-6.