Canada finished strong at the 2019 Junior/Cadet Pan American Fencing Championship by bringing home a total of 16 medals and four titles, which is five medals more than the 2018 Pan American Championships.

Canada competed in Men’s Epee, Women’s Epee and Men’s Sabre in the last three days of the competition.  Ted Vinnitchouk(TFC, Ontario) brought home gold in Men’s Junior Epee.  He defeated Leandro Sauri (MEX) 15-8 in the semifinals and then went up against Alexander Camargo (BRA) 15-14 to win gold in an exciting final. Fynn Fafard(DYN, British Columbia) finished 16^thoverall in the same competition.

Continuing to medal for Canada was Ariane Leonardwho took home bronze in Junior Women’s Epée. After defeating Rosario Del Rio Diaz (CHI) 15-12 to advance to the semifinals, Leonard then lost against Danierys Maya (VEN) 15-14 in the final to earn silver. Also placing in Junior Women’s Epée was Shirley Guowho placed 9^thand Christina Zozulyawho finished 10^thoverall.

Taking home silver in Junior Women’s Epée Team was Tamara Booy(FAOC, Alberta), Shirley Guo(VGO, Ontario), Ariane Leonard(OM-, Québec), and Christina Zozulya(DYN, British Columbia). The Canadian team defeated Brazil 45-39 to advance to the semifinals, where they defeated Chile 41-35.  Canada then lost in the finals 45-33 against the USA to win silver.

Another team who took home silver was the Junior Men’s Sabre Team of François Cauchon(BRE, Québec), Angelo Chiara(BRE, Québec), Nicholas Dinu(MEC, Quebec), and Andrew Wei(BRE, Québec). The team defeated Puerto Rico in the semifinals 45-25 to advance to the finals, where they lost a close 45-40 to the USA to finish second. Canada’s Junior Men’s Epée Team of Nathan Brunet(OM-, Québec),Fynn Fafard, Seraphim Hsieh Jarov(DYN, British Columbia), and Ted Vinnitchoukplaced 5^thoverall.

In Junior Individual Men’s Sabre action, Francois Cauchondefeated Hender Madina (VEN) 15-8 to advance to the semifinals, where Cauchon lost against eventual gold medalist Kamar Sweete (USA) 15-11 to win bronze. Also placing top 16 In Junior Men’s Sabre was Angelo Chiarawho finished 7^th, Nicholas Dinuwho was 9^th, and Andrew Weiwho finished 16^thoverall.

Nicholas Dinuwon gold for Canada in Cadet Men’s Sabre. Dinu defeated David Echartea (MEX) 15-9 to advance to the semifinals.  He then went on to defeat Matheus Becker (BRA) 15-8 to advance to the finals, where Dinu defeated Fabio Salles (BRA) by the score of 15-12 to win gold. Also medaling in Cadet Men’s Sabre was Brendan He(AXF, Ontario) who defeated fellow Canadian, Shae McFadden(MGB, Manitoba), 15-11 to advance to the semifinals.  He then lost a close match against Fabio Salles (BRA) to take home bronze. Also finishing top 16 was Thomas Greenwood(AFC, British Columbia) who finished 7^thand Shae McFaddenwas 8^thoverall.

Christina Zozulyabrought home silver in Cadet Women’s Epée after she defeated fellow Canadian, Shirley Guo, 15-13 to move onto the finals.  Zozulya lost in the finals against Greta Candreva (USA) 15-8 to finish second. Placing right behind Zozulya was Shirley Guo.  Guo defeated Audrey Taylor (USA) 15-11 to move onto the semifinals, where she lost a close match to Zozulya to earn bronze. Also placing top 16 was Grace Xu(VGO, Ontario) in 12^thand Grace Hu(VGO, Ontario) who finished 13^thoverall.

Placing 6^thoverall was Nathan Brunetin Cadet Men’s Epée, along with Jason Man Kit Li(TFC, Ontario) who was 15^thoverall.

Following is a summary of all medalists and top 16 fencers for Canada:

Congratulations to all fencers who participated in the 2019 Junior/Cadet Pan American Championships!

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