Natasha Kis-Toth (DYN, Richmond, BC) took home Canada’s first medal of the Cadet and Junior Pan American Fencing Championships in Havana, Cuba, a bronze medal in Cadet women’s epee. In action yesterday was men’s foil, women’s sabre and women’s epee – all in the cadet (17U) age category.

Kis-Toth unfortunately faced and eliminated a number of Canadians to get to the semifinals. She defeated Christina Zozulya (DYN, Richmond, BC) a very close 13-12 in the 16’s and then faced Zi Shan Guo (TFC, North York, ON) in the quarter-finals, coming away with a 15-10 win. Kis-Toth’s day came to an end in the semi-finals with a heartbreaking 14-13 loss to Karina DynerVilla from Costa Rica, giving Kis-Toth a bronze medal. Other top 16 finishers in women’s epee include Shirley Wang (VGO/TFC, Toronto, ON) in 5^th, Zi Shan Guo 6^th, and Christina Zozulya 12^th overall.

Canada’s top placer in men’s foil was Blake Broszus (Cdn living in US) in 7^th, who lost his quarter-final bout a close 15-13 to USA’s Kenji Bravo. Also finishing in top 16 was Gareth Marks (DNF, Stratford, ON) at 15^th overall.

Marina Guintchitskaia (SSC, Edmonton, AB) was Canada’s top performer in women’s sabre in 8^th place. Guitchitskaia lost her quarter-final bout to advance to the medal round. Lily Liu (Richmond Hill, ON) finished 11^th and Matina Pun (DYN, Vancouver, BC) was in 12^th place overall.

Competition continues today with the cadet competitions in men’s epee, women’s foil and men’s sabre. For updates and photos from the event, please visit the Canadian Fencing Federation’s Facebook page.

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