En garde! Fencing teams poised for medal glory in Israel
GB’S MACCABIAH Fencing squad are already at the “En garde” stage with hopes high they’ll come back from Israel with medals to show from their various combats on the Strip.
Nick Lakeland and Richard Bernstein will be co-managing the three Team GB squads and both feel there are medals in the offering from the ten fencers representing their country over the summer.
As Lakeland explains: “We have high hopes of winning individual medals. David Sosnov is a junior foilist who recently won a silver medal as part of the GB team at the European Championships, while Oliver Strange, an Open foilist, won several medals at the 2019 European Maccabi Games in Budapest. The large US and Israeli squads will provide stiff competition for all our fencers but we’re ready for the challenge!”
Bernstein is savouring the prospect of having several female fencers involved for the first time as well as his co-manager also reaching the podium. “We’re excited by the possibilities that Amanda Mond and Vanessa Lemer could win medals, while building on the last two games, we’re also hoping Nick will continue to bring home the medals.”
Happy with the squads assembled, Lakeland adds: “We’re absolutely delighted with the squad especially as we continue to grow the number of Maccabi GB Fencers representing Team GB at the Games.
“Fencing is a minority sport and there are only a limited number of Jewish fencers, but year on year we continue to grow our community and what we lack in numbers we make up for in quality.”
Quality is certainly the name of the game, with the duo able to call upon a junior foilist who is a current British champion and ranked in the top 10, as well as a junior woman epeeist who’s ranked 11th. With those in the squad already fighting at a strong competitive level, their preparation comes in the form of competing in tournaments on a regular basis, while continuing their development with personal coaches and training at their clubs.
There is also a planned meet-up for the squad at the end of the month. Describing how the sense of excitement has been growing in the squad, Lakeland says: “After lockdown, all the team members want to do was to make up for lost time, everyone is keen and raring to get to the competition in Israel.
“There’s a real sense of excitement from the athletes and the important family members who are planning to come and cheer them on. That will help spur them on and we’re thrilled to know that we will have such a large team of supporters travelling out there.”
Lakeland and Bernstein were the only two fencers in the Team GB squad at the last Maccabiah in 2017 and the fact that number has reached double figures is a great source of delight for both men.
As Bernstein explains: “Through a lot of persistence and hard work we’ve now built the squad up and are both very proud of representing Team GB at what is an incredible event.”
What we lack in numbers we certainly make up for in quality
For details of the full Fencing squads, visit www.maccabigb.org/squadannouncements or follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @maccabigb