News / Fencing: Shetland club gains confidence
SEVEN members of Shetland Fencing Club competed in Inverness last weekend in the Highland Open Fencing Competition.
Held over two days, the three main weapons of epee, foil and sabre were covered with all Shetland fencers competing in two weapons ensuring a full weekend of competition.
On Saturday, the epee and sabre competitions were held. Mathew Blance, 14, was entering his first senior competition and held his nerve to make a confidence boosting win in his first fight. He was later to be placed in the top 16.
Shaun Alderman, 14, in his second senior competition, competed in the sabre and showed sound technique throughout the day against some much older and larger opponents.
More regular club members including Kyle Smith, Sophie Drosso, Mhairi Gifford, Paul Hibbert and Chris Hudson all had good results just out of medal contention.
The men’s and women’s foil competition were held on the Sunday, once again producing good performances from all the fencers.
The club is growing a reputation for producing good fencers, who are gaining in confidence and feeing less intimidated when they travel south to contest their skills.
Several fencers were awarded high seedings after the pool stages, with Kyle Smith, 16, especially fencing well to gain a personal best of sixth seed.
Sophie Drosso and Mhairi Gifford dominated their poules and were rewarded with semi final places through the direct elimination stages to gain bronze medals. Sophie missed the final by the narrowest margin losing by a single hit with seconds remaining.
Shetland Fencing Club would like to thank NorthLink Ferries for their support.
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