Fencers bring home medals from Summer Games
Five fencers from the Niagara Swords fencing club did themselves proud at the 2016 Ontario Summer Games.
The Ontario Summer Games were the culmination of a year long qualification process with competitions throughout Ontario.
Pranav Parahk, Nandana Parahk, Burke Willson and Karl Stang competed in sabre and Catherine Koziarz foil.
Willson was awarded a silver in under-15 men’s sabre and bronze in under-17 men’s sabre while Parahk and Stang received gold in team and Willson received a silver in team. Nandana came away with a fifth place finish in under17 women’s Sabre while Koziarz gave an excellent performance in both the under-17 under-15 women’s foil.
All athletes train through the Brock Fencing Academy. The fencing academy started three years ago to provide a competitive outlet for youth interested in the Olympic sport of fencing. Over the past season Niagara Swords fencers have brought home 27 medals from across Ontario and upstate N.Y.
Head coach Tim Stang was thrilled with the performances.
“This coming season promises to build on our success,” he said.
The following is a brief look at each of the competitors with comments from Tim Stang.
Karl Stang - Epee/ Sabre Fencer
School: Denis Morris Catholic High, Grade 10 Hometown: St Catharines
Age: 14 “Karl succeeded at stumping many of his opponents with his unique style and shows true sportsmanship with all participants through his endless support and encouragement of others.”
Catherine Koziarz Foil Fencer
School: E.L. Crossley, Grade 10. Hometown: Fonthill Age: 15 “Catherine achieved a personal best and enhanced her love of the sport.”
Nandana Parakh Sabre Fencer
School: A.N. Myer Secondary School, Grade 11. Hometown: Niagara Falls Age: 15 “Nandana took on and defeated the province’s top women’s sabre fencer only to be defeated by an Ontario Summer Games finalist.”
Pranav Parakh Sabre Fencer
School: A.N. Myer Secondary School, Grade 9 Hometown: Niagara Falls
Age: 13 “Pranav was withdrawn from the individual event due to an injury only to come back and carry his team to victory in the team event. Pranav came home with a team gold.”
Burke Willson - Sabre Fencer
School: Bishop Reding Grade: 10
Hometown: Milton
Age: 14 “Burke continued his string of successes throughout the season to medal in every event he entered at the Ontario Summer Games. Burke had a phenomenal games losing only to the eventual gold medalist.”
The Niagara Swords fencing club is the only Olympic sword fighting club in the region catering to the Niagara community.
For more information, see www. fencingniagara.com. BPotrecz@Postmedia.com twitter@BillPStandard