Fencing in the News

[LongBlade]

Twin teens compete in fencing tournament
By Kim Lyons
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
December 9, 2005

pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/tribpm/s_402457.html

Twin brothers Sam and Ben Rinaldi found a unique way to settle sibling disputes: swords.
"It's fun because you can hit the person who's bothering you," Sam said. "We spar with each other all the time. It's a good way to stay on top of your game."

While they're not likely to break out the foils in the living room, the 16-year-old Coraopolis brothers will be en garde at the U.S. Fencing Association tournament, which opens today at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

"It's definitely a sport, not a hobby, and it's not what you might see at Renaissance fairs," said U.S. Fencing spokeswoman and Pittsburgh native Cindy Bent Findlay. "We use state-of-the-art weapons. These athletes are really trying to hit each other."

The protective gear generally keeps anyone from being seriously cut or speared, but Findlay said sprained ankles and hamstring pulls are not uncommon in high-stakes tournaments.

Fencing is often called "physical chess," Sam said. "You have to study your opponents' weaknesses while you try to protect your own. You really have to think on your feet."

The three weapons in fencing are the epee, the foil and the saber. Both Rinaldi twins said they feel confident competing with all three. "I couldn't just pick one, they're like my children," Ben said.

The twins both have C-rankings, E being the lowest, and A being the highest, so they're in pretty good standing as they enter the Division I competition.

"This is one of the competitions that will select the senior national team that goes to the world championship," Findlay said. "The Division I is an elite event; if this were an Olympic year, these would be the finalists to make the Olympic team."

The Rinaldis, who have been fencing since they were 11, like the practical applications of fencing, as well. "It maybe a good way to get into college," Sam noted.

There are several dozen schools with NCAA-level fencing teams, including Penn State, University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State University and Cleveland State University.

The twins practice as much as 14 hours a week, but they believe the sport is worth the time and effort they put into it.

"It's a great stress reliever," Ben said. "It makes you focus on the moment, on the here and now."

[LongBlade]

Fencing goes varsity
High school athletes turning to the sport in large numbers[/b][/color]
By WILL HERNANDEZ
Norwich Bulletin
Norwich, CT, USA
December 10, 2005

www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/SPORTS/512100349/1006

The explosion began last year.

Sada Jacobson and Mariel Zagunis, both United States fencers, brought home Olympic medals at the Athens Games and interest in the sport reached an all-time high. And it's become one of the fastest growing high school sports in Eastern Connecticut.

Nine high schools in the area have either a varsity or club team. East Lyme High School, Griswold, Norwich Free Academy and St. Bernard have varsity programs. Bacon Academy, Fitch, Ledyard and Waterford have club teams. Each year, more students decide to try fencing.

This year was the first time NFA coach Peter Landery had tryouts and made cuts. About 65 students tried out.

The Griswold program began as a club four years ago with 18 students. The number increased to 23 the following year and now the team is 30 strong.

"The great thing about this right now," Griswold coach Daryl Schlender said, "is that we've tapped into another group of students that haven't thought about playing varsity sports before.

"It's something different and unique and they really enjoy it."

NFA freshman Kurt Young Jr. decided to give fencing a try after watching his father fence for many years.

"I was just always watching him and it looked really cool," Young Jr. said. "It's a great workout and I've been having fun with other people on the team."

Griswold junior Casey Schlender also had his own reasons for picking up the sport.

"The two main reasons were, my brother did it at community centers before it came to high schools," Schlender said. "And the other reason is my dad is the coach."

Fencing is often referred to as "physical chess" or a "human chess game". The sport involves a mental concentration not found in many other sports.

"You really have to be thinking ahead and looking at what the other guy is doing," said Kurt Young Sr., who is a part-time assistant coach at NFA. "There is a bit of personal achievement when you manage to do things and you get to a certain level."

"You usually plan out your moves, practice and memorize the moves," said Jonathan Reid, who graduated from NFA last year, but is now an assistant coach. "But when you are actually on the strip during a competition, you don't think about that, it all becomes muscle memory."

But fencing can also be mentally exhausting.

"When you do a 15-touch bout and it keeps going and going, you're mind stops thinking and you get sloppy," NFA senior Stefanie Covino said.

But what about the athletic part? Landery said fencers are more athletic now then they've ever been.

"It used to be when you could get by on how well and how fast you moved your hands," he said. "The problem now is it's become fast. You have to be quick on your feet. Because of that, the athleticism in unreal now. It's a difficult sport to master."

Landery and Young both agreed its takes a competitor about two years to really become comfortable with the sport.

"You can get a pretty good handle on it if you work pretty hard your first year," Landery said. "But's it's not like other sports where you've played basketball before, played a little bit of football or sandlot baseball.

"When they come to me, almost 100 percent of the time, they know nothing about the sport, so I have to start from scratch."

Griswold junior Brandon Fraser believed he learned the sport rather quickly. He was trying out for the basketball team when Casey Schlender suggested fencing. Fraser quickly found a passion for it.

"I have a great interest in the medieval era and Renaissance times," Fraser said. "I think (the mental part) of fencing came easy because I play strategy games and I have to think them over all the time."

As much fun as the fencing experience has been for those involved, fundraising has been an issue since the beginning of all programs.

The average beginner's equipment, which can include clothing, gloves, mask and weapon of choice, can be almost $200, sometimes more.

The teams at NFA and Griswold receive little or no money from their respective schools. NFA does pay the fee for fencers to participate at the state tournament, but that's it.

Griswold fencers said they believe they may receive funding next year. Athletic Director Gary Kinel said since the sport turned varsity after the athletics' budget was done, fencing received no money this year.

Fundraising has become part of the overall experience.

"I think you have to be dedicated to the team in every way," Griswold senior Jessi Savino said. "You have to make every effort to be a part of it."

Both schools do just about the same things to raise money and awareness for the program.

Car washes are very popular. NFA sells items from Yankee Candle while Griswold has used Krispy Kreme as part of their efforts. The Wolverines are even thinking about doing a silent auction of some sort.

[LongBlade]

Hendricks county Sports in brief
Indianapolis Star
December 10, 2005

www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/ZONES02/512100380/1057/SPORTS02

Fencers advance

Jenna El-Amin, 14, Pike Township, placed third in the junior women's saber event in the United States Fencing Association Indiana Division Junior Olympics Qualifier at the Indiana Fencing Academy in Mishawaka.
That qualified her for the junior and cadet women's events at the Junior Olympics, set for Feb. 17-20 in Hartford, Conn.

Taylor Crane, 14, Pike Township, earned a spot in the Junior Olympics cadet men's saber event by placing third.

Abby Schmutte, 13, Indianapolis, earned a spot in the cadet women's saber competition by winning her event.

All three are members of Indysabre Fencing Club.

[LongBlade]

Tourney set in Evanston
Pioneer Press Online
Glenview, IL, USA
12/15/05

www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/sports/current/gl/12-15-05-771167.html

A holiday fencing tournament will be held on Saturday at the Chandler-Newberger Center located at 1028 Central Street in Evanston. The tournament is open to all fencers rated "D" or under by the United States Fencing Association, and there will be three mixed -- male and female -- events.

Starting times are 9 a.m. for foil, 11 a.m. for epee, and 1 p.m. for saber. Check-in begins one hour prior to the start time.

Fencers must have a full uniform, including a chest protector for women, and at least two working weapons and two working body cords. USFA membership is required, and memberships can be obtained at the site.

For fencers who register prior to Saturday, registration fee is $20 for the first event and $15 for each additional event. Day of registration fees are $25 for the first event and $15 for each additional event.

For more information or to register, call [phone].

[LongBlade]

Fencing program
Reading Advocate - Concord,MA,USA
The Boston Herald
12/15/05

www2.townonline.com/reading/artsLifestyle/view.bg?articleid=390967

The Reading Recreation Division announces the addition of a brand new fencing program in Reading. Reading Recreation has teamed with US World Championship team fencer Michael Tarascio. This program will begin at the end of January and run through April. Coach Tarascio is an A-Classified Foil fencer and renowned fencing coach and brings his vast fencing knowledge to Reading. He has been an invited participant attending the United States Fencing Association Coaches College and other international seminars. His philosophy is simply, "Participate in fencing because it's fun." Coach Tarascio puts a high emphasis on sportsmanship through his teaching techniques and teaches his students to be confident.

Coach Tarascio offers a free introduction class to fencing on Monday, Jan. 23, for 5th to 8th graders, 4 to 5 p.m., and high school to adults 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Classes will be held at the Birch Meadow Elementary School. If you are looking for a new activity, different than you have ever experienced before - give fencing a try. The fee for the 10-week program is $150. To register for the free introduction class or the entire program, forms are available on the Reading Recreation Web site at www.ci.reading.ma.us/recreation or registration forms can be picked up at the Recreation Division located in the basement level of Town Hall.

Contact the Recreation Division for more information on this new program. Interested participants can visit Coach Tarascio's Web site at www.fencing1.com.

[LongBlade]

Fencing squads both aiming high
By JEFF HAMMOND Sports Writer
Bernardsville News
Bernardsville, NJ, USA
12/14/2005

www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15752370&BRD=1918&PAG=461&dept_id=506495&rfi=6

New Jersey has been described as the center of the high-school fencing universe, and Somerset Hills teams from both Bernards and Ridge High Schools have set their sights to conquer that world.

Both teams begin their quest for a state title, achieved via a Sweet Sixteen tournament in late February, with opening meets this week.

Bernards, entering only its fifth year as a team, has come the closest to a state championship so far. The girls team has won the District 1 crown three successive years and been state-wide runner-up each year, losing to arch-rival Columbia of Maplewood each time.

The boys, looking to three-peat at the districts, have made it to the final four the last three years.

The Mounties face the challenge of replacing steady winners at sabre (Candace Balsamo and Tom Rand) and epee (Kellie Fry and Dan Zielinski), lost to graduation. With a relatively large squad for a smaller school, however, BHS has the depth to compete again. Of the 57 fencers on the roster, 13 have earned a US Fencing Association (USFA) national classification letter.

The boys, 16-4 last year, are again captained by senior Jared Hammond (sabre), and backed by squad leaders Phil Efthimion (sophomore, sabre), Dan DePodwin (junior, foil) and David Lim (senior, epee).

The epee starting line of Lim, sophomore Andrew Bostick and junior Zack Pfeifer will be one of the strongest in the state, while both Hammond and Bostick have legitimate shots at an individual state championship.

To make it to the end, however, the foil squad will need to go through a quick re-building year.

The girls will look to captain Lisa Ventura (senior, sabre) and squad leaders Tanya Dainoski (junior, sabre), Sarah Komline (senior, foil) and Melissa Litschi (junior, epee) to follow up on last year’s 19-1 record. Will this be the year to snare the elusive state championship?

“The drive to be No. 1 is really there,” said Ventura.

Unlike past years, in which the girls team was highlighted by stars such as two-time state foil champ Magda Losonczy, this year’s team is balanced and solid throughout. Sophomores Laura Patagano (foil) and Diane Zielinski (epee) are expected to make a strong run at an individual state crown.

Coach Glenn Blekicki was recently honored by the NJSIAA on December 5 for building a top-flight program from scratch in record time and for overseeing a dramatic expansion of NJ fencing as president of the coaches’ association.

Blekicki will be looking for his 150th coaching win early in the season, while former US Olympian Tom Losonczy returns as an assistant to guide the sabres, and Deborah Duffy, a former all-state foilist at Voorhees and member of the 1980 Rutgers state foil championship squad, joins BHS as an assistant this year.

Reviewing his teams’ prospects, Blekicki noted “they’re young, but, overall, we may be getting stronger.”

Bernards opens away at Montclair Kimberly Academy at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, and has its home opener at 7 p.m. on Dec. 21.

Ridge, a year younger than BHS, is building its traditions. The boys team was the surprise entry into the state championship tournament last year, based on its fourth-place finish in District 2, and the challenge this year will be to replace graduating star epeeists Sam Monk and Ryan Harper.

With a team that has grown to nearly 80 fencers, however, the enthusiasm was articulated by coach Slava Danylov who said, “We are not just optimistic; we want to win them all.”

The team’s size has been both a blessing and a curse. With no space large enough to accommodate all the fencers, the boys and girls teams have been forced to alternate practice days. Nevertheless, Danylov praised the parent and booster support,

“We feel it every day,” he said. “What we need, we have.”

Danylov, a former champion in the Ukraine, is joined this year by Andrew Lamianski, a Belorussian national team fencer and junior national team coach, as a sabre assistant.

The boys are captained by senior Paul Bertolini, a sabrist who converted to epee but will be fencing sabre again.

“I’ll fence where the team needs me,” said Bertolini, reflecting the program’s determination to win.

Squad leaders include juniors John Clark (sabre), Phil Choy (foil) and TJ Fazio (epee).

“The boys team can do a lot of things,” noted Danylov.

Choy, a stand out in both foil and epee, recently won the Denise O’Connor tournament in epee and is the Devils’ best shot at an individual state title. Steve Van Gordon will also be a force at epee, continuing the Ridge tradition of strength on the epee line.

The Ridge girls fencers are captained by junior Diana Ark, who is also the foil squad leader. Backed by epee squad leader Yunji Kang, Danylov has hopes that the girls will emerge from the boys team’s shadow.

“We expect surprises,” he predicted.

Ridge will open its 11 dual-meet season at home against North Hunterdon at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Friday. The Red Devils will then meet the cross-town rival Mounties at 4 p.m. on Dec. 20 at Ridge.

[LongBlade]

Manipur fencing team
The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, India
December 16, 2005

www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=28387&typeid=3

The following members of the Manipur team comprising 40 members including 4 officials left Imphal today to participate in the VIIth sub junior and 2nd cadet national fencing championship 2005 at Calicut from December 22 to 25.

The cadet boys are N Sandhiraj, Kh Samuyainganba, M Premjit, W Hemanta, I Surendro, H Bichu, A Nongdamba, N Solik and W Sanathoi and cadet girls are S Tejimala, S Bindu, W Roji, W Reni, Th Diana, N Rebika, H Harshish, K Indira and RK Vidyarani.

The sub junior boys are H Gautam, A Avinash, S Roshan, H Robikumar, A Bimol, O Santosh, K Lenin Sharma, S Gatu and Th Robinson and the girls are Kh Bandana Chanu, Th Sophia, M Binita, S Bindu, N Eden, S Sarita, I Pinky, T Imoinu and M Monika. Team officials are E Benarjit manager for boys, B Challe manager girls and team coach A Dipak.

[LongBlade]

Fencing championship from Thursday
NewKerala.com
Ernakulam, Kerala, India
December 19, 2005

www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=69830

Kozhikode: Defending champion Manipur and 31 other teams from different states and sports promotion Boards will vie for top honours in the 7th National Sub-junior and 2nd Cadet Fencing Championship to be held here from December 22-25.

As many as 600 competitors are expected to participate in the boys and girls events which will see the use of modern weapons such as foil, epee and sabre, Kerala Fencing Association secretary Abdul Rehman told reporters here today.

[LongBlade]

Former fencing champ nabbed in family drug bust
By YAAKOV KATZ
The Jerusalem Post
Jerusalem, Israel
December 22, 2005

www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1134309631591&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Former Israeli fencing champion Kobi Hatuel, 20, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly running a drug manufacturing ring together with his parents in the North, it was released for publication.

On Thursday, the Nazareth Magistrate's Court extended his remand by five days.

His mother Orna's remand was also extended by five days and his father Uri's by eight days.

The three, from Nahariya, were arrested by police from the Central Investigative Unit in the Northern District after they allegedly produced 18 kilograms of hashish and planned to distribute it throughout the country.

Police raided the Hatuel's home and seized drug-manufacturing equipment, 18 kg of hashish and NIS 60,000.

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Beginning Fencing Classes Offered for Youth and Adults
Fencing develops agility, strength, speed and discipline[/b][/color]
Kansas City infoZine
Kansas City, MO, USA
December 23, 2005

www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/12070/

Beginning fencing classes for youth and adults are being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District at the KC Fencing Center, 9800 Antioch, Overland Park.

Classes are taught by internationally competitive coaches at one of the most successful fencing centers in the nation. Classes are limited to beginners only. All equipment is provided.

Two classes for youth and two classes for adults in two different formats are being offered beginning in early January. One youth program is offered at 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday beginning Jan. 2. The cost for ten 60-minute sessions is $85 for Johnson County residents or $94 for nonresidents. The other youth program is offered at 4 p.m. Sunday beginning Jan. 8. This class involves four 90-minute sessions and the cost is $65 for residents or $72 for nonresidents.

Two adult programs for ages 14 and up are offered. One class meets at 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, also beginning Jan. 2. The cost for ten 60-minute sessions is $85 for Johnson County residents or $94 for nonresidents. Another adult class is offered at 4 p.m. Sunday beginning Jan. 8. This class involves four 90-minute sessions and the cost is $65 for residents or $72 for nonresidents.

The JCPRD's ACTIVITIES catalog, with information and a registration form, is available for pick-up at all Johnson County Library branches. For more information or to register, call [phone] VOICE or [phone] TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, see the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

[LongBlade]

Manipur emerges champion
deepikaglobal.com
Kottayam, India
Dec 26, 2005

www.deepikaglobal.com/ENG6_sub.asp?newscode=127888&catcode=ENG6&subcatcode=

Kozhikode, Dec 26 (UNI) Manipur emerged champion in every category in the VII National Sub Junior and II Cadet Fencing Championships 2005 which concluded here last evening.

Results: Cadet boys overall: Manipur 46 points, Assam 12, Punjab, Tamil Nadu 8 pts each.

Cadet Girls Overall: Manipur 39, Punjab, 26, Karnataka 13.

Sub Junior Boys overall: Manipur 37, TN 25, Andhra Pradesh 11.

Sub Junior Girls: Manipur 48, Punjab 22, TN 8.

Epee individual (Cadet-boy) K H Samugaingava (Man) bt Amardeep (M) 6-4.

Sabre boys (individual): Hemanta (Man) bt Surendro 15-14.

Epee team (final): Manipur bt Pujab 12-2.

Trophies were distributed by Kerala Public Works Minister M K Muneer at function presided over Inspector General of Police (North) M N Krishnamurthi.

[LongBlade]

Fencing tournament from Jan 24-29 in city
Chennai Online
Chennai, India
Dec 27, 2005

www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B0C2A17E4-3592-44BB-865D-1BC1BCC771A6%7D&CATEGORYNAME=Sports

Chennai, Dec 27: The first ever International fencing tournament in India will be held in this city from January 24 to 29 next year, at the J N Indoor Stadium at Periamet.

Ten countries of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF) will participate in the inaugural Championship.

For the first time in the history of fencing, the logo, mascot and motto were unveiled here today, a press release from the Tamil Nadu fencing association said.

The President of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), Rene Roch, the President of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, Helen Leslie Smith, president of the Indian Olympic Association and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Delhi Commonwealth Games, Suresh Kalmadi, MP, and Dr Randhir Singh, IOA Secretary General and Vice-President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, would be present during the championships.

The release said that the CFF would depute a four-member technical commission, headed by Henry John Ramsay from Great Britain, to supervise and conduct the competition in a befitting manner.

To check the equipment of all participants, which is mandatory, an armourer, Jeffrey William Gray from Australia, will be present. Besides, two neutral referees from non-commonwealth countries, - one each from Italy and Ukraine/Iran - have been detailed by the CFF, the release added. (Our Correspondent)

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Kuwait to participate in Arab fencing tournament
People's Daily Online
(English Edition)
China
December 28, 2005[/b]

english.people.com.cn/200512/28/eng20051228_231207.html

Kuwait Fencing Federation said Tuesday it would participate in the Arab junior fencing championship in Tunisia during next Match.

The federation's Secretary-General Nasser Al-Saihan said the association's board has approved holding a training camp in France in preparation for Tunisia's tournament.

He added that the federation was continuing its intense preparations for Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad's international fencing grand-prix that will take place during January 27-29, which will be the largest ever fencing event in Kuwait's history.

The international fencing federation, he said, has approved Kuwait's hosting of masters' fencing tournament next March.

[chuck]

Amarillo fencer earns national medal



Amarillo Globe-News
Publication Date: 12/28/05

An Amarillo teenager recently brought home a national medal as part of the Amarillo College Fencing Association to add to the first national medal she earned over the summer.

Juleah Nusz, 13, isn't intimidated facing nationally ranked fencers. She beat the No. 1 Youth-14 fencer in November at the Albuquerque North American Cup - the second time she defeated an opponent who was nationally ranked. She accomplished the feat first at the 2005 Summer Nationals in Sacremento, Calif.

Nusz finished in eighth place in Youth-14 Women's Epee at the NAC, topping not only the No. 1 seed, but also the national champion from the Youth-12 Women's Epee United States Fencing Association Summer National Championships .

Her victories rank her 19th in the national point standings for Youth-14 Women's Epee and 48th in the Cadet (Under 17) Women's Epee standings.

Nusz began fencing in the Leisure Studies Youth Fencing program in 2003 at Amarillo College and made the jump to the competitive team.


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www.amarillo.com/stories/122805/fri_3474363.shtml

© The Amarillo Globe-News Online



Juleah Nusz and Coach Chuck Slaughter at Albuquerque NAC Tounament.

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Way to go, Juleah!!! ;D ;D ;D