white eagles fencing club

Neo-Liberal shill, Radek Sikorski, willfully misrepresents the nature of Orban's mission, which was clearly stated to be in his domestic, national capacity. Orban is a Christian Nationalist and as such, part of Europe's problem but in this, he is right. London, Paris, Berlin and Warsaw are sustaining a war that can't be won to vindicate a NeoCon crusade that along ago quenched its own purpose in innocent blood.

Top EU diplomat calls rival meeting in response to Hungary’s rogue diplomacy Meeting of bloc’s foreign ministers organised by Josep Borrell is in effect a boycott of a gathering in Budapest

Wenlock Olympian Epee Results
T6 Bristol Primary Schools Sabre
Epee Video: Koch v Kano
& Olympic Tips For Epee Medals
Sabre Video: USA v Korea
& Heathcock v Szilagyi

Hello fencers!

A massive, well done to our epeeists, Daniel Miller and Gwenc'hlan Tournier, who took on Sunday's 138th Wenlock Olympian Fencing Tournament.
Here's Daniel's own report of the day:
"Wenlock open. Came 1st!!!!
It was great to be with my club mate Gwenc'hlan Tournier and to see the great Timothy Pearce; good to catch up.
A hard day of tough fencers.
First poule, all was fine energy wise; I won 3 lost 1. Was seeded 2nd after Gwen.
"Second poule, I started to feel drained energy wise. But won 4 lost 1; even beat a guy I can never really beat, Adrian Stoneman - but also picked up a knot in my calf muscle.
"I was still 2nd seed.
My first, not sure if I can win this fight, was in the last 8. I hit him! And cramped in both legs, didnt I!
"I though lt I was done for! But I took time out then; to my surprise I won 15.5.
My semi final fight was against Gwen. I knew his shoulder was killing him. He knew my legs were killing me.
"It was a grueling match, where I was, most of the time except one stage, ahead but Gwen fenced well and came back to 13 to me 12 to him. Then I had to be explosive and I got two doubles to win 15.14
"Then the final; my nemesis of all these years, Adrian Stoneman! I thought he was going to slaughter me, like he always does, but I beat him! like I did in the poules. I thank John Rohde for the lesson he gave me yesterday. It won me the match. I won 15,10 was always ahead.
"I'm near dead now but happy!"
Congratulations to Dan (Gold) and Gwen (Bronze). The poules, tableau, results etc can be found here: https://www.fencingtimelive.com/events/results/5B229102643241FBBB5B68E2775EC898

Our T6 Bristol Primary Schools Sabre competition displayed the skill, courage and joy of our youngest fencers, with close matches giving the results below:
Year 6:
Gold: Arianna Watkins (Stoke Bishop CoE Primary/BWEFC).
Silver: Zayn Khan (BWEFC).
Bronze: Luna Stevens (Stoke Bishop CoE Primary/BWEFC).

Year 5:
Gold: Thomas Dodds (BWEFC).
Silver: Harvey Jones (BWEFC).
Joint Bronze: William Smith (BWEFC) & Leo Hauck (Elmlea Juniors/BWEFC).

Years 2,3 & 4:
Gold: Clara Grodent (Summerhill Juniors/BWEFC)
Silver: Maxime Drewett-Campbell (BWEFC)
Bronze: Henry Taylor (BWEFC).

Well done to all and thank you to our excellent referees: Gianna Colligiani, Robert Greenwood & Ross Smith.

Our epee video is an elegant match between Koch (HUN) and Kano (JPN): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGTujyMTqAk&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWBMgRlqir66dtod8TnEkX9L&index=13 Each is an elegant fencer; the Hungarian's reach being countered by Kano's mobility. Both have a brave, forward hand and good distance. It's fun to watch.
As an epee bonus, here is an interview with Sergey Bida (was RUS, now US), in which names he names his picks for glory at the Paris Olympics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9DhNX41N6g&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWBMgRlqir66dtod8TnEkX9L&index=10
Frost-Nixon it's not but it is informative.

One team to watch in the Olympic Sabre event will be the USA. Helped by Christian Bauer's input, they are the coming force in the men's game. Here they take on Korea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-DpKdeshUU&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWD2PRIhlO62x26AZFUpM3_H&index=7
Their's is an odd combination of an excellent upper body posture with a staccato, back-foot-pushing style of footwork. One would think an opponent could exploit the latter but at present no one seems to be doing so.
As a bonus, here is team member Colin Heathcock (was GER, now USA), matching up against three time men's individual gold medal winner, Aron Szilagyi; it isn't pretty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bLKmPzXM_Q&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWD2PRIhlO62x26AZFUpM3_H&index=3

See you soon,
John

T6 Bristol Primary School Sabre
Exeter Open Coming Up
Sabre In The Shire
Sabre Video: Curatoli v Szatmari Odd Match Up
Epee Video: Japan v France Ripsnorter
Hello fencers!

On Saturday our Primary School fencers will be competing in the T6 Bristol Primary School Sabre. It should be great fun and as ever, guest fencers are more than welcome.

The Exeter Open is coming up; not far and well worth doing. The details are here:
The EXETER OPEN @ Exeter University
entry via www.bf.sport80.com
Entry fee £40.00. Closing date 26 July.
SATURDAY 27 July
Check in closes
Men's Foil 9:30
Men's Sabre 11:00
Women's Sabre 13:00
SUNDAY 28 July
Men's Epee 9:30
Women's Epee: 11:00
Women's Foil 13:00

My regular fencing column made the back page of The Shire this month, as I attempt to wise all to the sabre. The PDF of the paper is here:https://www.shire.org.uk/_files/ugd/56ada3_358b225eabcc4b2aa2dc56f30ad55469.pdf

Our sabre video is the Men's Sabre final of the recent Budapest World Cup, in which Lucas Curatoli (ITA) took on Andras Szatmari (HUN): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMYY8-ENdJE
It's a curious match in that the Italian's technique is something of a throwback; a withdrawn hand, a controlled preparation and a long lunge from which compound attacks can be made. It is reminiscent of the old Korean style but with more control in the preparation and hence less power in the lunge.
Against that, Szatmari makes some attempt to apply the counter-attacking technique but his locked-wristed, classically Hungarian hand position means his attempts are telegraphed, preempted or parried.
Still, an interesting match.

For aficionados of the stiffer blade, here's the Men's Team final of this year's Challenge Monal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jj50X_T2CI
The ever-exciting Japanese take on the much fancied French. It's a ripsnorter.

See you soon,
John

McNeill Cup Team Sabre Result
Martini Cup Epee Result
Epee Video: Imrek v Bardenet
Sabre Video: Olga Kharlan Highlight Reel
Hello fencers!

June's McNeill Cup winning sabre team was made up of Alex Siddall, Hubert Zagorzycki and Casey Browne.

Running them close in a nail biting final were Nick Scott-Samuel, Ilyas Baquiri and Bennett Dunn.
Well done to those plucky foiners who pitched in to make it an exciting feast of swashbuckling.

Our Martini Cup Epee champion for June is Bennett Dunn, with Paul Donnelly in second and Dan Miller in third place.

Our epee video is an analysis by Leland Guillemin, of yet another rising, American fencer, Said Imrek (USA), in a match against Alexandre Bardenet (FRA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxsZ8T5jLq8&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWBMgRlqir66dtod8TnEkX9L&index=6
In a nutshell (mine, not necessarily Guillemin's) , Imrek has excellent footwork, sound timing and has identified the flaw in his opponents' technique.
Though odd for an epeeist the American's stance is of the same stamp as Valentina Vezzali and the Italian and Russian foilists arose under Stefano Cerioni's direction.
Imrek's neat and low footwork allows him to extend into the hang-fire moment in the extension of so many front-footed opponents.
Caught on his extention, Bardenet reacts by an early, over-extension Imrek can handily parry.
Bardenet is too experienced and talented a fencer not to learn and we see on the Frenchman's tenth point, a much slower attack, all-importantly, with a relaxed arm defeats the pommeller's "close out" counter-attack with opposition. That's likely to be Imrek's Achilles' heel in the long run, as his crouching, upper body stance is geared to those early counter extensions and late parries and "close outs" in the line of quarte. Against an opponent with tighter footwork and a relaxed front shoulder, he is likely to be caught in between those two actions by conventional attacks on preparation.
That said, one can go a long way in fencing - and many other things - by understanding first principles and not falling for present fads.

Our sabre feast is a compilation of Olga Kharlan's (UKR) highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2kU80mVSnM
The ace Ukrainian sabreuse will be trying to reprise her past Olympic glories in Paris later this month. Her's is perhaps the most successful example, along with Aron Szilagyi, of what one might call the modern, Hungarian style of sabre. How she fares against the renaissant defensive-offensive style, reminiscent of the old Italian, will be interesting to see this Summer.
Finding sabre videos is more difficult because the popular sabre channels are laced with the faddish, modish interpretations that ignore both the rules and the clear intention of FIE refereeing. Read the rules and watch the best, is the best advice can be given.

See you soon,
John

McNeill Cup Team Sabre For June
June's Martini Cup Epee
Epee Video: Novosjolov v Pizzo Classic
Epee Video: ITA v FRA Men's Euro Final
Sabre Video: HUN v ESP Women's Euro Bronze

Hello fencers!

It's McNeill Cup Team time; this Wednesday, our monthly, team sabre competition will be settled by our swashbuckling sabreurs and sabreuses and any visitors who wish to cross blades.

Saturday will see our epeeists set to in the Martini Cup; an individual affair also open to all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53sxbH4XKB0
Our epee feature is a classic match from 2017, in which Novosjolov (EST) takes on PIzzo (ITA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53sxbH4XKB0
There are captioned comments that help the viewer to understand the tactics in play. It's worth pausing the video to read them.
It's an excellent match to study.

As our second epee treat, here's the final of the recent Men's European Team Championship in Basle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnrofcvQ6h4&t=2s
It has plenty of spectacular actions; not least because one side, Italy, is perpetually chasing the other, France. It's a one-sided match about which the commentators rave but I'm slightly wary of results achieved so close to the Olympic Games; teams can sometimes be holding back their best cards for that.

The Women's European Team Sabre Championship, Bronze Medal match pitted Hungary against Spain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ydmFvHjGs&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWD2PRIhlO62x26AZFUpM3_H
The usual caveats apply about competitions close to the Olympic Games but it's an exciting match with the attacking, disciplined, staccato style of the Hungarians taking on the offensive-defensive or, better, defensive-offensive style pioneered by the French but if anything, shown off in purer form by the Spaniards.

See you soon,
John

Hands Up For Armoury
Sabre Fencers Read The Rules
Sabre Video: Women's Team Classic
Epee Video: Basics

Hello fencers!

There's a confidence in being able to maintain one's own kit and particularly for epeeists, that's about fixing the weapon.
Hands up if you're interested in an extra session learning, hands on, how it is done.
Sabreurs just need an allen key; a meagre skill I or any other coach or senior fencer will be happy to demonstrate on request.

The sabre fencer's homework should, of course, be reading the rules.
Picking up the rules anecdotally is a worse than useless process in which one encounters coaching phrases confused with refereeing terms and special pleading dressed as expert opinion.
Read the rules, apply the rules and ignore the rest.
The rules are here: https://bwefencingclub.com/rules

Our sabre video is a classic, women's team sabre match from 2023, between Hungary and France: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI3K2UXfK9M&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWD2PRIhlO62x26AZFUpM3_H
The final round sees Olympic favourite, Balzer against Pusztai and the glitches in the world number one's technique might bear watching in Paris in July.
It's a well filmed match and refereed by the top referee; Boris Milenchev is officiating and it's worth watching to study his calls.

For our epeeists here's an excellent guide to the basics of tactics from Leland Guillemin's channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AdUiJIxP5g&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWBMgRlqir66dtod8TnEkX9L
While each coach has their own set of pet hates and peculiarities, this video gives a sound framework.

See you soon,
John

McNeill Cup Team Sabre Result
Epee in the Local Sports Pages
Sabre Video: GER v HUN - Superb Team Sabre
Epee Video: Minobe v Borel Masterclass

Hello fencers!

After something of a foiner's feast last week, this - slightly more slash-tastic - edition starts with the result of May's McNeill Cup team Sabre.
Victory in a 45:42 final, went to Miko, Dan and Mitch over Ilyas, Hubert and Kitty.

Epee is, however, the feature of my column in The Shire this month.
The article can be found on page 19, here:https://www.shire.org.uk/_files/ugd/56ada3_5655d635fba24eeca46fe397a661e3aa.pdf

No carping critique or philosophising needed for this magnificent match; the Bronze Medal final of the recent Zarandi Csaba Men's Sabre Team World Cup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqcct5tMh3Q
Germany and Hungary fight it out and it's a complete delight to see Aron Szilagyi (HUN) and Matyas Szabo (GER) in action.
Szilagyi is the model of Hungarian fencing; upright, low and decisively definite. Szabo has a fluidity and passion; confusing with exquisite counter-time and never discouraged. It's a crisply edited video and if you watch any sabre match, watch this.

For our epee feature we have a point by point, tactical analysis of a match between Minobe (JPN) and Borel (FRA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI7pxUT4geg
There are shades of Szabo's sabre about Minobe's use of counter-time and intense yet careful footwork to contain his opponent. In this match Borel gets lured onto his front foot at Minobe's distance. As the analysts point out, the French fencer never uses his height and reach to take command of the fight.

See you soon,
John

McNeill Cup Team Sabre Reloaded
West of England Epee Result
Sabre Video: Balzer v Apithy-Brunet
Epee Video: Pan Am Final; Canada v USA
Epee Bonus: Who's Who at Paris 2024

Hello fencers!

Last Wednesday being half-term, it was decided to shift the McNeill cup team sabre for May to this week (Wednesday, 5th June). Any and all, thirteen years and older are welcome to take part.

Several of our fencers took part in last Saturday's West of England Open epee tournament. It seems to have been the usual high standard, hard fought and fun event.
Results, poules and tableau can be consulted here: https://www.fencingtimelive.com/events/results/EABCB82B1CA6402491463260B888B27A?lang=en-UK
Hats off to Daniel Miller and Gwenc'lan Tournier, as well as our semi-own Paul Donnelly, Huw Richards and Ben Dishman.

Our sabre feature is a women's semi-final from last year's Orleans Grand Prix in which Manon Apithy-Brunet (FRA) takes on Sara Balzer (FRA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g03aMvOtmI&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWD2PRIhlO62x26AZFUpM3_H&index=8
After a slow start, Apithy-Brunet is better when she is able to get under way and unlock her awkward on guard stance; then her tight footwork and deft, compound attacks can tell. Balzer has no real answer once trapped into a retreat from Brunet's preparation, hence her yellow cards for stopping the bout once started (a trick referees are now rightly punishing). When she can press her opponent back, Balzer has the advantage but a lazy first step that carries her weight onto her front foot makes it easy for Apithy-Brunet to trap her there.
As ever, the commentary, is better ignored, as based on a transfer of the sketchily applied conventions of foil to the more rigorous regime of sabre. If you'd like to understand the rules, they are here: https://bwefencingclub.com/rules

Our first epee treat is a men's team match, Canada v USA, from the 2023 Pan American championships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbGoNDqh6sc
It has the individuality of a voice over commentary by Canada's number four Leland Guillemin, the channel owner. It's an exciting match with different - one might say eccentric - styles on display on the American side.

Our second helping is a review of who will be competing in the men's and women's competitions at the Paris Olympics in July and August: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9DhNX41N6g&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWBMgRlqir66dtod8TnEkX9L&index=2
It's not always easy to follow but interesting nonetheless.

See you soon,
John

These are the people who give us reason to hope:

‘Solidarity over hatred’: the small band of Israelis stopping settlers obstructing aid trucks Peace activists confronting settlers acknowledge they are ‘a minority within a minority’

McNeill Cup Team Sabre
Martini Cup Result
Cardiff Veterans Results
Scoring Box Features
Sabre Video: Dershwitz v Ha
Epee Video: Koch v Kano

Hello fencers!

It's the last Wednesday of the month and so it's McNeill Cup time. Our monthly team sabre competition will be fought out in its usual, fun format with, as ever, all and sundy thirteen years or over welcome to join in.

May's Martini Cup was won by an undefeated Dan Miller, with Huw Richards taking second and Sion Scott-Wilson third. Good performances all round made it the usual great competition for all concerned (photograph credit Casey Browne).

The Cardiff Veterans Epee saw Nick Scott-Samuel and Gwenc'hlan Tournier carry the flag for Bristol White Eagle. Gwenc'hlan put in a great performance in his poule, winning five out of six and seeded third going into direct elimination. Nick had some very close losses in his poule and was seeded ninth.
Nick had a substantial victory in the sixteen, to go out to the first seed in the round of eight.
Gwenc'hlan was unlucky to exit the competition in a 9:9 contest decided on priority.
Well done to both!
Poule, tableau and results can be found here: https://results.cymru/FTEvent3.htm

Simon Blackwell, of the excellent http://fencingsmartbox.co.uk
has wised me up to the many features of our smartbox scoring boxes I had known nothing about.
For those interested in the details, there's a comprehensive guide here:https://fencingsmartbox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Smart-Box-v2.5-User-Manual.pdf

Our sabre feature has the magisterial Eli Dershwitz (USA) taking on Ha H. (KOR): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze_UlwTm6cU&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWD2PRIhlO62x26AZFUpM3_H&index=3
The key to the course of the match lies in form. Dershwitz is able to control distance and apply sophisticated tactics in attack and defence because of his better posture. His Korean opponent has the characteristic forward lean of his co-national fencers and has to play bull to the American's matador too many times. If Dershwitz has a fault it's in his tight wrist.
Ha's fourth point (at 2:20), given on review, is an excellent example of the rules being enforced as written - as they should be - with an immediate reprise of the attack into which Dershwitz counters.
Pace the video description, the Korean was technically outclassed.

In this week's epee video we see Kano (JPN) versus Koch (HUN): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGTujyMTqAk&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWBMgRlqir66dtod8TnEkX9L
Koch's front footed, forward lean and extended arm leave him vulnerable to Kano's attacks on the blade but the Hungarian's determination to keep his point at the target means he can punish the Japanese when he settles, flat-footed at lunge distance, making wide attempts to find the blade (see Koch's third point from 1:30).

See you soon,
John

Martini Cup for May
West of England Open Epee
T5 Bristol Primary Schools Sabre Results
Epee Video: Kano v Siklosy
Sabre Video: Gkountoura v Emura
Sabre Plus: Teams Olympic Qualified

Hello fencers!

That time has come around again for the celebrated and glamourous, monthly Martini Cup Epee. Pile in, lay on and have at you for a fun and fancy free yet frenetically ferocious festival of foining. Strangers, passersby and vagrants, as ever, welcome.

The West of England Open is also rolling round on the first of June and the closing date for entries is 27th of this month. I couldn't find a website - just a page - so best to find it from your BF account.

Our youngest fencers put on a brilliant show of courage, talent and courtesy at our Term 5, Bristol Primary Schools Sabre Championships.
The year 3/4 category produced the following podium:
Gold: Charlie Bidwell (Stoke Bishop CofE Primary)
Silver: Ibrahim (BWEFC)
Bronze: Tobin Watson and Maxime Campbell (both BWEFC)
The year 5/6 result was:
Gold: Arianna Watkins (Stoke Bishop CofE Primary)
Silver: Zayn Khan (BWEFC)
Bronze: Wesley Watson (BWEFC)
Luna Stevens (Stoke Bishop CofE Primary) narrowly missed a medal, in turn pipping William Smith (BWEFC). A very gallant fifth place went to Yussef (BWEFC).

Having seen Kano Koki (JPN) shine at less than his brightest in last week's feature, in this he takes on a more congenial opponent in the formidable Gergely Siklosy (HUN): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA3IHu9AweM
The footwork of neither is ideal; Kano has a hangfire, pause of dead spot in his step back and his Hungarian opponent one corresponding in his step forward. It balances out to an interesting match.

Our sabre match is a thriller between Theodora Gkountoura (GRE) and Misaki Emura (JPN): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa_kBKm2ZmQ&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWD2PRIhlO62x26AZFUpM3_H&index=3
The Greek fencer has the advantage of reach but tends to teapotting (leaning forward), while her reigning World Champion opponent can sometimes fall into using upper body tension to assist in her stutter steps; of which there's an instance on Gkountoura's fourth point (at 2:45). The same point is also an excellent example of how even the best referees sometimes need a double checking to enforce the rules on attacks on preparation. The referee in this match is very good.
Gkountoura succeeds when she can open up her shoulders and build up an easy momentum; Kano when she can hold at attack distance without tightening up.

A second helping of sabre is this review of the teams qualified for the coming Paris Olympics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V99znC4_G1k&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWD2PRIhlO62x26AZFUpM3_H&index=3
The commentary is of the channel's usual sort but the information is worth having.

See you soon,
John

Epee Video: Billa v Kano - Time After Counter-Time
Sabre Video: Budapest GP USA v Korea

Hello fencers!

This week's epee feature is a left- v right-handed, french grip v visconti handled clash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfluh4sPxlI&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWBMgRlqir66dtod8TnEkX9L&index=8
Billa (FRA) uses the modern French technique with athleticism, nerve and judgement. Kano (JPN) commits himself from the start, to the offensive; trying to catch the Frenchman at the sticky point of his extension that goes with snooker cue grip. Billa counters with second intention; stepping back to give time for his extension to deliver the counter. Kano, in turn, tries to extend his fleche at hit in pronation, avoiding the counter. It's something of a joust and it's probably a few foot hits, carelessly conceded that decided the match; perhaps another sign of his aggressive intent. Fencers of the Kano or Heinzer school like best opponents who allow them to catch them in the dilemma of attacking into their preparation or being caught by an attack from close in. Billa's neat control of distance frustrates that tactic.

Our sabre match is the men's team final from this year's Budapest Grand Prix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-DpKdeshUU
It's a measure of the rise of the USA team that in the final they meet and give an object lesson in how to tame the Korean charge. Control of distance and active defence go together with a typically American self-confidence; a tribute also to their coaching.

See you soon,
John

I've no idea what's been going on in the snakepit of US fencing but their federation's attack on Milenchev is unfortunate; he has done more than anyone else to improve sabre refereeing. Actually enforcing the rules hasn't won him as much popularity - at least in the Anglosphere - as he deserves.
Milenchev is the best.

Fencing Rattled by Suspensions and Accusations Ahead of Olympics (Gift Article) Concerns about refereeing integrity and preferential treatment for top saber competitors have cast a shadow over a sport decided by the finest of margins.

National Youth Championships Results
Luna's Foodbank Appeal
Epee Video: Zgryzniak v Differt is Murmillo v Retiarius
Sabre Video: High Tempo Women's Sabre

Hello fencers!

Last weekend's British National Youth Championships saw excellent performances from two of our young sabreurs.
In her first major competition, Kitty Wilkinson did a great job of establishing herself in those heady regions, finishing 26th in the U16 girls and establishing a base for future progress. An unscheduled change bringing forward the start time of her DE did Kitty no favours.
Raul Blasco has graduated to the U16 boys category. Excellent, tight footwork was the highlight of Raul's matches. The low-light was the unwanted intervention into his DE, by the opposing coach when Raul was leading 6:1, that didn't help his concentration.

In the cases of both of our young fencers, experience can only enhance the success their talents deserve.
Video of the girl's and boy's gold medal matches can be found, first up on the YouTube videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvyI24kW7Ow and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZw6D5Vw818

Luna Stevens (Stoke Bishop CofE/BWEFC) has set herself a rowing challenge to raise money for our local foodbank. You can support this good cause and Luna's endeavour here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lunas-row-for-dough-challenge-for-bristol-foodbank?utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=p_email%2B2300-co-team-welcome

Our epee feature is Baltic battle from the recent Women's Individual in Cali, between Zgryzniak (POL) and Differt (EST): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIwfi5gZbpw
In contrast to recent features, this is match up of same handed fencers, using proper (Visconti) handles. The contrast is in their stance and tactics. The Polish fencer - in what seems something of a Sarmatian specialty - has a low, withdrawn hand; set up for late parries. Her footwork is cadenced for retreat. Her Estonian opponent has a more forward hand and has footwork to favour forward acceleration. The Pole's hand position puts her at a disadvantage and the match turns on her - or her coach's decision to press forward in the second period. The low hand leads to "teapotting" and that in turn, to sticky footwork and a vulnerability to counters.

For our sabre feature, here's a compilation from the Orleans GP of 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwYwWSO_Rmg
It features some interesting match-ups and shows the high standard of footwork at the top level of women's sabre. It's an interesting exercise to spot the tactics and counter-tactics and whether a given hit is due to the wrong choice or poor ex*****on on either's part.

See you soon,
John
Bristol White Eagle Fencing Club
Oasis Academy Brightstowe, Penpole Lane, Shirehampton, Bristol BS11 0EB www.bwefencingclub.com

CounterAttack Battle - France v Korea 🤺✨🇫🇷🇰🇷 Luxardo 2024 Men’s Team Sabre

McNeill Cup Team Sabre Result
Martini Cup Epee Result
The Parrying of the Shire
Epee Video: Foining Falls, Faults & Fails
Sabre Video 1: Active Defence
Sabre Video 2: Form As Fate

Hello fencers!

Our monthly Martini Cup Epee competition saw the first place decided on indicators; Daniel Miller coming out ahead of Bennett Dunn, with Paul Donnelly taking third. It was a hard fought contest with all fencers in the poule putting in strong performances.

The final of our McNeill Cup Team Sabre Championship for April saw Ching, Hubert & Ilyas achieve a narrow, 45:41 victory over Raul, Mitch & Anna.

In a great leap forward for culture and journalism, our local newspaper (https://www.shire.org.uk/_files/ugd/56ada3_735385e5555243b9a716459cdce00fb2.pdf) has a monthly column on fencing at last:

Our epee video is a close fought, left versus right handed contest that bears on Olympic qualification: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncVp21DVTLw
Alexandre Camargo (BRA) takes on Nicholas Zhang (CAN). The Brazilian profits at first from Zhang dallying at his fleche or lunge distance but is let off the hook somewhat by Camargo's impatience, From then on, the Canadian tightens his footwork and is more careful of distance and timing. The match is marred by a bad refereeing decision for Zhang's fourteenth point. It's clever, it's exciting but it looks very much like it's against the rules:
"t.121, 2: All bouts must preserve the character of a courteous and frank encounter. All irregular actions (fleche attack which finishes with a collision jostling the opponent, disorderly fencing, irregular movements on the piste, hits achieved with violence, blows struck with the guard, hits made during or after a fall) or anti-sporting behaviour are strictly forbidden (cf. t.158-162, t.170). Should such an offence occur, any hit scored by the fencer at fault is annulled."

Having featured all out attack in the last few bulletins, here are some illustrations of skillful, active defence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRxmTQJ-ezU&t=59s
The first instance, Aliaksandr Buikevich (BEL) versus Eli Dershowitz (USA), is an instance of defence based purely on form and control of distance.

Our second sabre feature is a lesson in the importance of form, as Toscane Tori (FRA) takes on Anna Spiesz (HUN) in the final leg of their teams' clash in the Riyadh Junior World Championships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWEzOqVLhuc&list=PLx9-DGBCIWWD2PRIhlO62x26AZFUpM3_H&index=6
The fate of the fight is written in the posture of the Hungarian. When emotion translates into posture, the will has to correct.

See you soon,
John