Medallists in the girls U16 Kent epee
Coach and pupil – well done you guys!
On Sunday 28th January 2024, despite an ongoing cold, Claudia managed the early start, for the trip to Tonbridge School, for the Kent U16 and Senior Epee competition. On arrival at the wonderful facilities, she made her way to the competition area and signed in. Numbers of fencers (at this point, only Epee) were good, although mainly male. The girls for both the U16 and Senior managed to combine to produce a single poule of 7 fencers for the seeding round.
Claudia’s first duel was a baptism of fire against the quick and feisty South African representative from Whitstable. Despite a 5-2 loss, Claudia warmed up and got into her flow quickly for the second fight, against an old and much more experienced foe. With the timer timing them out, although she lost 4-3, it was a much more convincing fight, with Claudia, at times, surprising the opponent with her attack and keeping the Tonbridge girl on her heels. The next fights were completed in Claudia’s favour at 5-4, 5-2, 5-3 and 5-2, meaning she finished as second seed.
Nerves for the DE were high, as Claudia, despite first being given a bye, then faced her very first opponent of the day again. Claudia took an early lead, but in a lapse of judgement, allowed her opponent to get a hit, when she was concerned about coming off of the back of the piste. At first this allowed her opponent in, gaining enough points to draw level and take a lead. Claudia, not to be outdone, regained her composure and scored again to draw level. However, a particularly painful strike to the right shoulder, from her opponent, saw Claudia struggle for the next few points and her challenger draw away into a lead of 14-9. Not to be outdone, Claudia fought through the pain and managed to score again before the DE was timed out at 14-10 in her rival’s favour. Claudia was pleased with her performance, holding the historically more accomplished rivals to close score lines and, topping it all, coming away with the medal. Well done, Claudia. Good luck for next Sunday’s South East Regional Youth Championships. Finally, as always, a big thank you to Coach Will for his support and advice on the day. She could not have done it without you!