Canadian Wheelchair fencers took part in the IWAS Wheelchair World Cup this past weekend in Montreal as part of the Defi Sportif Altergo, a multi-sport event in its 35^th year. It was a historic weekend for Canadian Wheelchair Fencers, with Canada earning its first gold medal ever in World Cup competition. In fact, Canada came away with two gold medals.

Pierre Mainville (St.-Colomban, QC) won one of Canada’s gold medals, defeating France’s Maxime Valet in the final 15-9 in Men’s Saber B.  Said Mainville following his first ever gold medal win in World Cup action, “I am very proud of the win but also felt the pressure of fencing in front of my family and friends. This stress transformed into happiness and I was moved to see my children present for me. That was awesome!”

Mainville finished in 5^th place in the Men’s Epee B competition Saturday after losing in the quarter-finals.  Matthieu Hébert (Beauharnois, QC) was one touch away from advancing to the semi-finals in Men’s Epee A, losing 15-14 to Britain’s Oliver Lam Watson in a very close bout from start to end.

Canada’s second gold medal was won my Canada’s young up-and-coming wheelchair fencer Ryan Roussel (Asquith, SK) in the Men’s Sabre A competition.  Rousell defeated former World medalist, Moez El Assine from France 15-13 in the semi final to advance to the final, where he won a resounding 15-4 against Shintaro Kano of Japan.

Other notable results include Camille Chai’s quarter final finishes in both Women’s Epee A and Women’s Saber A, both personal bests for the Montreal native.  Sylvie Morel (Pincourt, QC) also made a quarter-final, in Women’s Sabre B.

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