A lot of sabre-rattling at Brock University
School hosting Canadian Fencing Federation national championships
St. Catharines will be fencing central this weekend with the Canadian Fencing Federation national championships coming to Niagara for the first time.
Upwards of 1,000 fencers will compete in three disciplines — foil, epee, sabre — and champions will be crowned in about 50 divisions at the four-day event that gets underway Friday at Brock University.
National university champions will be showcasing their skills as will fencers under 15 years of age to veterans 40 and older.
More than a Canadian title will be on the line at the most important event on the fencing calendar in the country. National teams will be selected, the next step to being chosen to represent Canada at the world championships and the Olympics.
“This event is a huge win from the perspective of all the university units working together to facilitate this hosting experience,” said Brock fencing coach Tim Stang.
With more than half of the competitors not yet committed to a post-secondary program, the event taking place in Bob Davis and Ian Beddis gymnasiums will be a boon for recruiting.
“This event will serve as a great tool to show what Niagara and Brock have to offer, and what our varsity and club fencing teams can do,” Stang said. “Our target is to get kids to come to Brock.
“It’s not just the individuals who want to come here for fencing, but it’s their brothers and sisters and extended family members.
“As beautiful as the campus is, they come here and fall in love with it.”
Admission is free. Competition gets underway 8 a.m. Friday, continues through the Victoria Day weekend and wraps up Monday afternoon.
Hundreds of athletes and coaches are staying in the residences at Brock.
The focus on fencing won’t end when the final champion is crowned at nationals. A coaching clinic will be held on campus Tuesday and Wednesday.
Finals will be held starting at 1 p.m. each day, including Monday when the university championships will be decided.
Stang said the host Badgers have a legitimate shot at two medals: Beamsville’s Malcolm McLeod, the reigning foil champion;
‘‘ “This event will serve as a great tool to show what Niagara and Brock have to offer, and what our varsity and club fencing teams can do. Our target is to get kids to come to Brock.” TIM STANG Brock University fencing coach
Aaron Olmstead, a medallist at provincials.
In all, Brock’s university team will have 14 athletes competing with seven Brock Academy club team members taking part.
Pranav Parakh is the topranked, under-15 athlete in sabre and Darren Dong, also under 15, No. 1 nationally in foil.
More information and a full schedule is available online at fencing.ca.