The Commonwealth Fencing Championships were hosted at the magnificent SportsDock venue in East London between 9th and 20th August. With competitors from over 12 Commonwealth countries, the competition covered individual and team events for junior, cadet, senior, veterans and para fencers so it was a true festival of fencing.
With competitors from over 12 Commonwealth countries, the competition covered individual and team events for junior, cadet, senior, veterans and para fencers
The East of England region was well represented in the veteran’s category.
The best result was in Men’s Epee with Chris Howser securing a very impressive 3rd place. Stephen Domek was the best of the rest at 13th. Other results in the men’s epee included Andy Luckman (45th), John Prime (68th) and Peter Walker (80th). In the Ladies’ Epee Carol Ashman and Olga Carter came 51st and 57th, respectively.
In Men’s Sabre there was also an excellent result for Julian Ghosh who came 8th with Simon Gladwell coming 65th. In the Ladies’ Sabre Tracey Russen was 27th.
In Men’s Foil, Keith McWilliams and Richard Sage reached the last 32 coming 23rd and 30th, respectively. Giles Rhodes came 35th. Lisa Drage was the sole representative in the Ladies’ Foil and came 38th overall.
Thanks should also go to the organisers for such a wonderful event. With 66 individual and team competitions being held covering junior, cadet, senior, veteran and para categories, this was no small achievement.
Some observations from the event:
- A formal (and strict!) weapons control was in place and highlighted the need to maintain equipment. This was, perhaps, the most stressful part of the event for those unfamiliar with weapons control.
- The standard of presiding was very high with all rounds being overseen by FIE presidents. Rules were strictly applied with red and yellow cards being awarded for various infringements including covering of target in foil.
(Juniors/cadets – you have been warned!) - Whilst the event was competitive on the piste, the camaraderie amongst the fencers off the piste was very evident.
If you have not taken part in a veteran event before, I would encourage you to do so.
Editor’s note: sincere apologies if I have missed any Eastern Region Veteran fencers who were also competing at the event. If so, please let me know.
About British Veteran Fencing
British Veterans Fencing (BVF) promotes and supports fencing for people over 40 years old.
Veterans fencing is split into age categories: Cat 1 (40-49 years old); Cat 2 (50-59 years old); Cat 3 (60-69 years old) and Cat 4 (70+).
Throughout the year BVF holds competitions, either divided into individual age groups or open to all fencers over 40. Certain competitions are used to select fencers to represent Great Britain but there are also smaller open competitions and team events. One thing common to all veteran events is a spirit of camaraderie and inclusivity
The Veterans Winton Cup
The Veterans Winton Cup was offered to BVF in 2008 by Bobby and Sir Nicholas Winton. Their wish was to have a competition between regional teams which is a social event as well as having a high standard of fencing. Ten regional teams compete in all three weapons at both men’s and women’s events.
Are you forty or over?
Would you like to fence in the Winton Cup team for the Eastern Region?
If you are forty or over and you’d like to fence in the Eastern Region team please drop an email to Richard Sage, the Eastern Region Veterans Captain on richard_a_sage@hotmail.com to express your interest. Richard must nominate the team by 10th September so please contact him before the end of August if you’d like to fence in the Eastern Region Veterans Team.
If you’re new to veterans fencing or if you’d like to discuss veterans fencing then please get in touch with Richard who’d be pleased to share his experience of veterans training camps, competitions and camaraderie to encourage all eligible fencers to engage in what for him has been and continues to be a rewarding and enjoyable fencing journey.
For more on British Veterans Fencing please visit