Montréal, June 21, 2013 – The Canadian men’s sabre team were hoping for a different outcome on the last day of the Pan-American Fencing Championships. After losing in the finals to the Americans, Quebecers Philippe Beaudry and Joseph Polossifakis, along with Ontarian Mark Peros and British Colombian Shaul Gordon ended up settling for silver in the team competition, Friday, in Cartagena, Colombia.

The men’s side got off to a terrific start with a dominating victory over the Colombians 45-16. They continued in the same vein with a convincing 45-31 win against Venezuela.

In the gold medal match against their longtime rivals the Americans, the Canadian team came out on a mission, taking an early 20-15 lead. In the middle of the contest they had a bit of a letdown, which turned out to be their undoing. The Americans took the lead and never relinquished it, holding on for 45-41 victory.

On the women’s side, Ontarian Joanna Guy and Alexis D. Anna Rudkovska, Manitoban Daria Jorquera Palmer and the Quebecoise Vanessa Lacas-Warrick finished 4th in the team épée competition.

The Canadians started well with a tight 42-38 win over the Dominican Republic. It was a different story against the tough Americans though, as their opponents from south of the border dominated them, 45-19.

In the bronze medal match, the Canadian women again succumbed to defeat, this time falling to the Argentine squad by a score of 45-35.

In the grand finale, the Americans continued their strong display with a 45-37 victory over the Brazilians.

The Canadian contingent concluded the Pan-American Championships with a tally of eight medals.

In addition to the men’s silver in team sabre, Quebecer Hugues Boisvert-Simard picked up a silver medal of his own early on in the competition, excelling in the individual épée event.

In foil fencing, Albertan Alanna Goldie and Quebec Maximilien Van Haaster both came away with bronze medals. The Montreal sabreur Philippe Beaudry also managed a 3rd place finish.

In the team events, the Canadian women’s foil fencing squad also won a silver medal. This was followed by bronze medals in women’s sabre and men’s foil fencing.

“Overall, there are disciplines that we are competitive in like women’s foil fencing and men’s sabre in the team events. That said, there is an aspect of leadership that we’re missing amongst our sabreurs. It’s a team that needs to start dominating and win on the international scene,” coaches Jean-Marie Banos and Benjamin Manano explained.

“Despite the fact that the women’s foil fencing squad is quite young, they’re already competing strongly against the best in the world. The future definitely looks bright for them,” they concluded.

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written by Sportcom for CFF