SILVER & BRONZE AT EFC CADET & U14 EVENTS
GBR took home four medals over the weekend at the EFC Cadet Foil competition in Gothenberg and the U14 Foil event in Aix-en-Provence.
On the first day of the EFC Cadet Foil competition in Gothenberg, Sweden, the GBR women’s foil team of Katie Johnson, Gloriosa Sung, Layla Lang and Mary Maguire picked up a bronze medal. The following day, Katie added to the haul with a silver medal in the individual event. Meanwhile in Aix-en-Provence, France, Olivia Johnson and Aleksandra Pensa won joint bronze in the EFC U14 Foil competition.
In Gothenberg, the GBR 1 team of Katie Johnson, Gloriosa Sung, Layla Lang and Mary Maguire started the day seeded 1st. They earned a bye into the last eight, and put up a strong fight to win 43-29 against Greece 1. In the semi-finals, they were defeated 25-45 by Germany 2, taking them to the bronze medal play-off. They faced Germany 1, staying ahead until a nine-point leg by Ksenja Klimuk levelled the score to 29-29. Not to be deterred, a resilient performance brought GBR back, ultimately winning 45-40 and earning them the bronze medal.
Afterwards, Katie said:
“It feels fantastic to have won the team bronze in Gothenburg. We worked so well together as a team. We’re getting on so well and working out our strengths as individuals to bring to the team matches. Winning our bronze match and getting our medals was really special! I’m looking forward to the next team competition!
“A very big thank you to our coaches for the event: Dominique Szokolovics, Dan Robinson and Pete Barwell. A huge thank you to my fantastic coaches at Fencers Club London: Dominique Szokolovics, Ben Peggs, Dan Robinson and especially Pawel Osmanski, who has coached me since I started fencing aged six.”
The following day in Gothenberg, Katie Johnson claimed the silver medal in the individual event. Katie showed great determination throughout the day, achieving strong victories against several top international opponents. After winning four of her six poule fights, she earned a bye into the last 64, where she defeated Krystallenia Giannouli (GRE) 15-8. Katie then beat Vittoria Ploutino (ITA) 15-13 in the last 32, before dominating her last 16 fight against Sara Rizzato (ITA) 15-2.
In the quarterfinals, Katie beat Slovakia’s Johanna Spinzig 15-12 to secure a place on the podium. She then went toe-to-toe against 1st seed Nina Forgach (SVK), defeating her 15-14. She fell to Latvia’s Liene Abele 15-6 in the final, earning herself the silver medal.
Following her medal, Katie said:
“I am really proud to have won my first international cadet medal this weekend, this result means a lot to me. I would like to thank Dom and Dan for their coaching on the day, and to my personal coaches, Pawel and Dom, for their continued guidance and support. Thank you also to Ben for his work at the club, my parents for getting me here, and my GBR teammates for staying to support.”
Referees Emir Ataer, Benedict Cowan, Bruce McCaig, Sam Ogden and Sam McLellan represented GBR at the event.
| Indiv. Men’s Foil results: | Indiv. Women’s Foil results: |
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Click here to view the full results from Gothenberg.
GBR’s U14 fencers likewise saw success in Aix-en-Provence, as Olivia Johnson and Aleksandra Pensa claimed joint bronze in the individual women’s foil event. Olivia had also entered the U15 Trophée International Licciardi event on the previous day, winning bronze.
After strong performances in the poules, Olivia and Aleksandra went into the direct elimination round seeded 5th and 7th, both earning a bye into the last 32. Olivia’s fight fight was against France’s Vera Opko, in which she took a confident 15-4 victory. Aleksandra likewise emerged victorious against France’s Gwendoline Acosta Fossard, the final score 15-6.
In the last 16, Olivia faced another French fencer, Agathe Blanrue, winning once again with a strong 15-3 victory. On the red piste, meanwhile, Aleksandra defeated Maya Bakr (QAT) 15-12. Both fencers defeated their next opponents in the quarterfinals 15-10: Olivia against Alice Villedieu (FRA) and Aleksandra against Roxan Mourey (FRA). Now into the semi-finals, both fencers had successfully secured a spot on the podium. Olivia and Aleksandra were defeated by Romane Vellieux (FRA) and Isia Brunet (FRA), earning themselves joint bronze.
Olivia said:
“I feel really proud to win these medals and it makes me hungry for more in the future. I’d like to thank Jed and Sandra for all their support and for their coaching on the day, Seb and all the coaching team at Fighting Fit Fencing for coaching me at club, and my parents for making all this possible.”
Aleksandra added:
“Winning a medal in France feels always more challenging. I would like to thank my coach Michael Janda, my parents and my brother for their support throughout the competition.”
| Indiv. Men’s Foil results: | Indiv. Women’s Foil results: |
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Click here to view the full results from Aix-en-Provence.
If you’ve received a medal at an FIE or EFC event, let us know by emailing media@britishfencing.com alongside a photo and a quote.