Canada earned three more medals on the final day of team competition at the Junior Pan American Fencing Championships in Havana, Cuba.

A highlight of the day was the performance of Canada’s men’s sabre team of Francois Cauchon (BRE, Montreal, QC), Angelo Chiara (BRE, Montreal, QC), Spencer McPhedran (EFC, Edmonton, AB) and Hunter Moricz (NVC, North Vancouver, BC) who earned gold by defeating the USA in the final by a score of 45-27. The young team who includes several cadet-aged athletes competing in the junior category, defeated Venezuela 45-29 to advance to the semi-final against Chile. Canada defeated Chile 45-28 to move on to the final against the USA and the gold medal. The team kept all of their opponents to under 30 points.

Canada’s epee team of Loic Beaulieu (STH, Sherbrooke, QC), Fynn Fafard (DYN, Roberts Creek, BC), Loup-Yann Ferre (STH, Quebec City, QC) and Matthew Litwin (SWP, Toronto, ON) also performed well, taking home the silver medal. The team defeated Cuba 41-36 to advance to the semi-finals where they faced Brazil. After a close and exciting bout, Canada came away with the win, 31-29 to advance to the finals against the USA. Canada suffered its only loss in the final 45-35 to earn silver.

Canada’s junior women’s foil team brought home Canada’s third medal. The team of Ariane Bilodeau (MOU, Outremont, QC), Jane Caulfield (EFC, Edmonton, AB), Cynthia Liu (EFC, Canadian living in the US) and Naomi Moindrot-Zilliox OM, Saint-Lambert, QC) defeated Mexico to win bronze for Canada. The team lost their semi-final bout to Brazil 45-35, after defeating Puerto Rico 45-18.

Canada earned medals in all six junior team events. Canada’s three medals from the last day of competition give Canada a total medal count of 13 for the 2017 Cadet and Junior Pan American Fencing Championships.

Canada was also successful in certifying an International referee at this competition. Pierre-Olivier Bontems from Montreal, Quebec passed his exam and is now an FIE-B foil International referee.

Next on the calendar, Canada’s top young athletes will be travelling to Plovdiv, Bulgaria to take part in the Junior and Cadet World Fencing Championships, from April 1-10, 2017.

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