The World Veterans Fencing Championships

BATH 2006

This year's World Veterans Championships were held in Bath University's wonderful new sports facility. The venue was fabulous and provided a fantastic setting for the event with separate halls for the pools, quarter finals and finals. Athletes from all over the world aged between 50 and 77 fought it out to become the world's number one. The fencing on display was fast and furious with competitors showing that they had lost none of their sword skills and gained a few new tricks. The results can be found below:

The organizers ran the event brilliantly. Rene Roch the president of the FIE was present and we hope that the smooth operation of this showcase event might help to bring some more major fencing events to the UK before the 2012 Olympics.The equipment was supplied by Leon Paul and included a total of 18 metal pistes each with remote control apparatus and extension lights. To ensure this show case event went smoothly we supplied ?14,000 worth of brand new equipment. This included 40 brand new spools, 40 ground leads and a brand new 2 meter wide Olympic regulation raised finals piste. This brand new equipment has now been added to our extensive hire range.

Here are some quotes from the fencing forum and fencing.net

"I have to congratulate the British organizers on an extraordinary job. The event was held in a wonderful place to visit, was well organized with numerous eager volunteers, in a capacious venue (even though the air was pretty hot and close with the crowds), cool medal ceremonies (neat flag hoist) and a delightful closing ceremony."

"Simply one of the best presented events I have ever attended. The organizers did a fabulous job."

Below are some pictures taken at the event. For all 50 images please visit
http://www.leonpaul.co.uk/newsletter/vets/vet_pictures.htm

The 2006 Senior Fencing Championships

	Donald Anthony and Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Arnold Fencing Classic 2006

North American Cup Competition Returns to Columbus

The U.S. Fencing Association held its second senior-level Cup of the season at the Greater Columbus Convention Center January 12-15, 2007.

More than 1,000 of the nation's best fencers competed along with several international competitors from Canada, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, Germany, Netherlands, Israel, Ireland and Columbia.

Two Olympic Champions competed as well. Mariel Zagunis the 2004 Women’s Sabre Gold Medalist and Jujie Luan the 1984 Women’s Foil Gold Medalist.

The last North American Cup competition in Columbus, in 2002, drew 1000 fencers from all across the country including Alaska and Hawaii, not including the number of families and coaches in attendance.  The success of that competition led U.S. Fencing to select Columbus as host for this premier event. This year’s tournament brought even more athletes and over 3,000 visitors to the downtown Columbus area for the three-day weekend.

This was the second of three North American Cup Division I or elite senior competitions held around the country this season. Athletes compete in these three events for positions on the U.S. team going to the World Championships to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia in October 2007.

A Junior (Under-20) North American Cup also took place, with the country’s best young athletes competing against each other to try and earn a spot on the 2007 Junior World Championship Fencing Team.

The public was invited to attend all events free of charge. It was a great opportunity for Ohioans to see some of the nation's best athletes in action.  These athletes included World, Pan American and Olympic team veterans and contenders.

Spectators also had a chance to see the finals for each event on the “Performance Stage”. The Stage was sponsored by White Castle Systems, along with local restaurants, Dui Amici and Brownstone on Main.  swordsport.com, also a Stage sponsor, hosted a VIP reception at Ozone Studios and captured video of the finals to be posted on the web.

Mika’il Sankofa and Don Anthony provided color commentary and announced the finals for the packed audience.

US Fencing teamed up with Columbus After School All Stars (ASAS), the local Chapter of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s National after school program. Participants in the Fencing program had the opportunity to meet Olympians and present medals to the winners. A portion of the sponsor’s contributions went to ASAS Columbus.

Brad Circone of Circone and Associates, the agency of record for the USFA, was the principal organizer of this event.   Partnered with US Fencing, Circone kept events on time and running smoothly throughout the weekend.

RESULTS