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Funmilayo and Soji Aiyenuro |
Cadet club can cut it at international level
Fencers from across Europe battle it out for championship place
MEMBERS from Camden Fencing Club turned their attentions to the international scene over the weekend as the club organised the biggest-ever cadet competition to be held in Britain.
More than 100 fencers from nine different countries turned out at Acland Burghley Secondary School in Tufnell Park and William Ellis School in Highgate for the Camden International Cadet Sabre Championships.
Nine fencers from the Camden and Islington-based club turned out to represent Great Britain in the event, a qualifier for the upcoming World Championships, which will be held in Turkey over Easter.
Taking on some of the best swordsman from across Europe, competitors turned out from Hungary, Germany, Iceland, Romania, Italy, Malaysia and the Czech Republic.
Among the top performers was Belsize Park youngster Funmilayo Aiyenuro, 17, who finished 11th in the individual girls’ category to seal one of Britain’s best results of the tourney.
Her younger brother Soji, 13, and club mate Curtis Miller, 14, also both did well as they reached the last 32 in the boy’s event, finishing in 28th and 23rd place respectively.
There were also impressive displays from Waldo Ramsay, Gianfranco and Fabio Artesi, Zachary Gomperts-Mitchelon, Jack Horrix and Nicholas Sabharwal, who all gained valuable experience.
Overall the tournament proved a huge success. Among the special guests who turned out were Mayor of Camden Jill Fraser and Mary Glen-Haig, former Olympic fencer and past President of the International Olympic Committee.
After two days of action, Hungary proved the biggest winners as they clinched gold in both team events and also won the girls’ individual competition. A strong Germany team won the boys’ individual category.
Treasurer of the Camden Sports Council and organiser of Camden Fencing Club, Ronald Velden, was delighted with how the competition turned out.
“It took a real team effort to make this tournament happen and I’d like to thank everyone who supported us, especially Councillor Jill Fraser,” he said.
“The overall standard was very high, and was a magnificent conclusion for all the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes.”
The club has just secured the services of world champion Matthieu Gourdain, who won two silver medals at the Sydney Olympics, and will now join the club as a coach.
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