Medals for Thame fencers

FENCERS from Thame Duellists picked up an impressive haul of five medals at this year’s Buck’s Berks & Oxon foil championships in Langley last Sunday, October 18.

In the Boys’ Under 12 category, Hal Seed, who now trains with the England Fencing youth development training programme fenced to a comfortable win, with Isaac Salle taking bronze in his first year in the Under 12 category, having won the Under 10s last year. The Mens’ event was won by Martin Carter, one of Thame’s coaches, with Daniel Kovacs taking bronze in his first senior event.

(L-R) India George, Hal Seed, Isaac Salle, Daniel Kovacs and Martin Carter

But the most impressive win came from Thame and Oxford fencer India George in the girls’ Under 12s. Down 2-4 after the first period of the fight and suffering from cramp in her right foot, India refocussed and fought through the pain, coming back to take the score to 9-9 at the end of the third period. That meant a sudden death extra minute of fencing. Still suffering from cramp and under pressure, she kept her composure to score the final hit and take the fight and the gold 10-9.

Thame coach James Kingston said: “I’m delighted for all our medallists, and particularly for India. She really earned that win. She concentrated so hard on her technique even when she suffering from cramp. She can be very proud.”