Canada’s top junior foil athletes were in Guatemala this past weekend to take part in the Men’s and Women’s Junior World Cup.

Canadians Daniel Gu (EFC, Edmonton, AB) and Cynthia Liu (Canadian living in the US) both won gold!

After defeating fellow Canadian Katie Du (EFC, Edmonton, AB) in the semi-final of the Women’s competition, Cynthia Liu went on to win the gold final against Mexico’s Lydia Casillas a very close 14-13. Du finished with a bronze medal, giving Canada two of the four medals available. Also finishing in top 16 were Ariane Bilodeau (MOU, Outremont, QC) in 9^th, Jane Caulfield (EFC, Edmonton, AB) in 11^th, Ying Cao (TFC, Toronto, ON) in 12^th and Sarah Filby (MGB, Winnipeg, MB) in 14^th.

In the men’s competition, Daniel Gu made the final by defeating Argentinian Erik Gabriel Varas a very close 15-14, and then handily defeated Augusto Antonio Servello from Argentina 15-6 to take the top spot. Other Canadians finishing in top 16 were Charles-Hugo Dube (Olympia, Longueuil, QC) in 5^th, Adam Nazarali (SSK, Saskatoon, SK) in 6^th, Alex Cai (TFC, Brampton, ON) in 10^th, Christopher Sheardown (AAA, Medicine Hat, AB) in 11^th and Blake Broszus (Canadian living in the US) in 12^th.

Canada also took home the bronze medal in the Mixed Team Final. The team composed of Cynthia Liu, Sarah Filby, Ariane Bilodeau, Daniel Gu, Blake Broszus and Adam Nazarali lost a heartbreaker to Mexico in the semi-final 35-36 but then went on to win the bronze medal.

Some of Canada’s top senior fencers were in action this past weekend as well. Canada’s Women’s Sabre athletes took part in the World Cup in Orleans, France. Marissa Ponich (Edmonton, AB) was Canada’s top performer, finishing 29^th out of 150 fencers. Two Canadians advanced to the 64’s following pooles and elimination rounds. Marissa Ponich won her 64 bout against Sara Balzer of France 15-13 but then lost to Irene Vecci of Italy 15-9 in her next bout to finish in 29^th overall. Gabriela Page (Blainville, QC) lost her 64 bout to Michela Battiston of Italy 15-10 to finish in 46^th place overall.

Senior Men’s Epee fencers took part in the World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Canada’s top performer was Rio Olympian Maxime Brinck-Croteau (Markham, ON) who finished in 36^th out of 166 fencers. Brinck-Croteau got a bye to the 64’s based on his top 16 ranking for the event, but lost 15-11 to Cooper Schumacher of the USA to finish in 36^th overall.

In the team competitions, Canada’s Men’s Epee Team finished in 20^th place following a loss in the 32’s to the Czech Republic, and Canada’s Women’s Sabre Team finished in 16^th place.

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