2010-07-29 : 2010 BDFA Wheelchair Nationals
Images from the 2010 BDFA nationals held alongside the BFA nationals at the EIS Sheffield. The BDFA would like to thank the BFA for making this possible.
Above: Mens foil final Vicarey Vs Wilson .
Above: The EIS main hall.
Above: Mens Sabre direct elimination with Laszlo Jakab presiding.
Above: The Mens Sabre final Wilson vs Derbyshire
Above: The Womens Sabre final Moore vs Mills.
Above: Derbyshire vs Wilson in the Mens Epee Semi-Final.
Above: Hanney vs Derbyshire in the Mens Epee Final.
Above: Despite being the main hall the Mens Epee Final attacted a large crowd.
2010-07-27 : BDFA National Championship 2010
Jon Willis the British No.1 Mens Epeeist tried his hand at Wheelchair Fencing at the 2010 Nationals by taking on Simon Wilson the No.1 Mens Wheelchair Epeeist. The bout finished 15-10 to Wilson with Jon quickly adapting to his style to wheelchair fencing.
2010-02-06 : Malchow Jan 2010
Above: Alan Sheriff parries Tom Hall-Butchers attack during a DE bout.
The Malchow World Cup attracted 100 competitors from 15 countries.
Vivien Mills
The Women Class A event attracted 15 competitors and saw Vivien Mills (GB) make her debut on the International stage with a promising start . Vivien did well to get through to the DE where she met Halkin (BKR) but was defeated 15-4. Vivien Mills came 14th in the event with Yu Vhui Yee winning the event.
The Womens’ Sabre event was only the second of its kind on the International arena attracting 13 competitors. Once again the event was dominated by Russia. Vivien met Cheryvakova (Russia) in the DE and was defeated 15 -4, her opponent went on to win silver. Vivien showed promise, and clearly benefited from the experience, finishing 13th. Kuramshina (RUS) won the event.
Tom Hall Butcher
There were 21 competitors in the Men’s Sabre A event. Tom fenced well with 2 well deserved victories against Palenta (GER) 5-4 and Rodriguez (USA) 5-3. He then met his team mate Alan Sheriff in the de beating him 15 -5. His next opponent was Stanczuk (POL) where he scored 4 hits. Stanczuk went on to win the event, with Tom finishing 14th.
There were 27 competitors in the Foil Class A event. Tom seemed really determined to prove himself in his bouts – and his determination paid off winning a bout against Cima (ITA) and although the scores did not do him justice in the other matches, he seemed confident. In the DE he met Febvre (FRA) where he gave a stunning performance. Despite being 8-3 down, he never gave up and took the bout to 14-14 but finished in style by securing the last hit. Tom then met Kavalenia but was defeated 15-6. Tom finished 16th
Alan Sheriff
This was only Alan’s second International event. At Sabre he appeared undaunted by his opponents and secured an early victory in the poules against Rout (GER) where he won 5-3. He fenced well and appeared on piste totally focused and had some good starts to matches. Alan was placed 19th.. Alan was not as successful at Epee, but showed that he was a credible force on the International stage and finished 27th.
Simon Wilson
There were 22 entries in the epee event. Simon had 2 victories beating Cima (ITA) 5-4 after a succession of doubles at 4-4 and then securing a victory over Malek (POL) by the same score. Simon seemed in control and positive in all his bouts. Simon finished 18th with Noble (FRA) winning the event. Simon finished 18thThere were 27 competitors in the Men’s foil. Simon once again seemed composed throughout and scored a victory against Hummer (GER) and was unlucky not to have beaten El Assine, where he scored 3 hits. The only match where he did not score was against Pender (POL).Simon finished 21st in this event.
The team were certainly a team to be proud of. The “oldies” Tom and Simon both achieved personal bests and improved on their ranking positions and the “newbies” Viv and Alan proved that they were a credible force on the International stage. It was an excellent world cup and the determination and hard work beforehand certainly paid off.
Report by Caz Walton
2010-02-02 : Bangalore IWAS World Games Photos
Images of Great Britain's Simon Wilson competing in the Men Foil at the Bangalore IWAS World Games 2009.
2009-10-05 : Warsaw European Championships - July 2009
The wheelchair fencing European Championships are held on alternate years with this years competition taking place in the Marriott Hotel, Warsaw from the 5th to 12th July. This major event attracted over 160 fencers from a dozen countries ensuring that it would be one of the toughest competitions on the IWAS calendar.As the competition would last a week there would be time for the teams to train as well as assessing the opposition. Individual foil was on Monday, sabre Wednesday and epee on the Friday, with team events between. Team GB was represented in all weapons with Tom Hall-Butcher (foil/sabre), Suzi Rockett (foil/epee) and Simon Wilson (foil/epee)
For our fencers it was to be their first European's and from the first day of competition it became clear that the standard of fencing was higher than ever. All three had victories in the poules, but unfortunately not enough to make past the second round. The final results were: Tom 21st foil,15th sabre. Suzi 10th foil,11th epee. Simon 19th foil, 22nd epee. Determined to take away as much as possible from the experience, all the team took every opportunity to train, take lessons and learn from the other nations to be more prepared for next time!
2009-06-13 : Lonato World Cup May 2009
Team GB sent two fencers to the Lonato World Cup event please see the results pages for the individual fencer results.
Above: Team GB and supporters at the Lonato World Cup 2009.
In addition Team GB together with Pierre Mainville from Canade entered a combined Team GB with Canada team into the International Epée Men Relay Competition with mixed Teams. In addition to Team GB teams were entered from Italy, Hungary and the Ukraine. Each team was be made up of two able bodied fencers and two wheelchair fencers belonging to the same Nation.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
Above: Team GB and Canada at the Lonato World Cup Mixed International Team Competition 2009.
2009-05-23 : Promising Results at Antibes Competition
Saturday 25th April was a bright sunny afternoon when our three fencers Tom, Colin and Simon met at Birmingham airport for the flight to Marseille. After a small problem with a wheelchair that was too big for the oversize baggage chute they checked in the fencing bags and made the flight in the nick of time.Upon arrival in France the hire car was collected and then there was the task of packing it with fencing bags, wheelchairs and luggage for three; This was accomplished on the second attempt and they set off on the 120 mile drive to their hotel in Antibes.
Torrential rain awoke our trio on Sunday morning, a hearty breakfast, load the car and the short drive to 'Salle Omnisport' venue for the days competition. Parking as close as possible to the entrance ment they weren't too wet checking in, once in the competition hall they were greeted by the organisers and other fencers, many hand shakes later it was time to change in preparation for a warm up before the start.
All warmed up and the poules were called, Tom had a poule of seven in the sabre with Colin and Simon having the same in the epee. From the start it was clear that it was going to be a much tougher competition than last year with many experianced fencers from France, Italy, Germany and even one from Brazil! The fights progressed quickly through the morning with all the poules completed by lunch, both Tom and Colin had four victories and Simon had six.
After the lunch break all three fencers had a 'by' into the last sixteen of the twenty two competitors. The French system ment that there were three more fights to fifteen hits each to establish final positions. Tom's task was never going to be easy as he faced three members of the French national squad, however he showed determination and scored one victory to secure eighth place overall. Colin also had one taking him to eleventh and Simon had a 'personal best' with two victories to take third.
To close the competition there was a brief presentation there the organisers thanked the other nations for attending, then it was 'au revoir' and load the car again for the wet dash back to the airport and home.
2009-04-12 : Nottingham Open 2009
Click here for the Nottingham Open Wheelchair Fencing Results for 2009.2008-12-07 : The Blackpoule Unique
The Blackpoule unique competition is a poule unique competition (all fencers fight each other and the fencer with the most victories wins) in Blackpool. Two events are run, mixed Sabre and Mixed Epee. Entry is limited to 30 in each event to ensure smooth running and lunch is provided as part of the entry.The competition generally attracts fencers from the North West but this time in addition to the fencers from Nottingham and Birmingham people had travelled from as far a field as London to compete.
Sabre was fenced to 10 hits to give everyone a good days fencing and Tom finished the day unbeaten to claim 1st place in the Sabre. Meanwhile Simon finished 3rd in the Mens Epee one and two places ahead of his two Nottingham City club mates who finished 4th and 5th.
It is expected the event will next run again in summer 2009 and we look forward to next time.
2008-11-16 : Wheelchair Fencing Nationals 2008
The 2008 National Wheelchair Fencing Championships were held at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium over the weekend of the 1st – 3rd August.Due to many uncontrollable issues several participants had to withdraw prior to the competition leaving a small but talented
group who made up for in quality what they lacked in quantity.
The Foil competition kicked off the proceedings on Friday afternoon. A seeding pool taking the top 4 ranked fencers through to a direct elimination round which was effectively the semi-final.
Some great fencing hits were scored by all the competitors in two closely fought bouts, setting up a final featuring Beijing bound Lee Fawcett and just turned 18 year old Tom Hall-Butcher.
A stunning match saw Tom take the title of National Foil Champion for 2008, his first senior title. A team event was organised for the remainder of the afternoon with theindividual Gold and Silver medallists from the earlier competition taking the helm as team captains.
The match which was fenced in high spirits with the welcome inclusion of newcomer Coach Terry Collings who donned some borrowed equipment and showed his natural flair and fencing skills to contribute to his team taking a well earned victory in the challenge match for the ironically named Buccaneers over the Pirates.
Day two saw the Epee competition in full swing again with a seeding pool to place the athletes for the direct elimination rounds. Closely fought semis saw Fawcett beat Ross and Wilson beating Hall- Butcher. This set up an exciting final which saw Wilson taking and retaining the National Epee Championship for the second consecutive year by a score.
A further team event with equally humorous ‘pirate themed’ names saw the
Black Pearls take on the Black Pigs – Q. why are GB fencers like pirates? A.
Because they GB RRRRRRRRRRRR!
A quiet night out in Aylesbury was attended by the fencers proving age has noobstacle to enjoying oneself!!! Dancing, cavorting and the drinking of one or two
shandy’s was the order of the day following an athlete fuelling session in the
‘Noodle Nation’ restaurant.
Sunday morning heralded the start of the eagerly anticipated Sabre competition. A fast paced opening pool paved the way for a semi final line up of Tom Hall-Butcher vs defending champion Neil Ross, and Lee Fawcett vs new Sabre convert Simon Wilson.
Neil edged out Tom in the first semi 15, and Lee making the final by beating Simon. The Final saw Neil take an early lead only to be caught up quickly by
Lee. After a tense bout the match lay in the balance at a nerve twitching 14 – 14 tie with all to play for on the last hit with the added tension of both fencers being on yellow cards.
The last hit saw both fencers trying to outwit each other, Fawcett taking
a chance and anticipating a beat attack was undone by a direct attack to chest, leaving the Referee happy with the final hit being decided with one light to Neil Ross who retained his Sabre National Champion title following an equally matched final the year before.
Special thanks must go to the people who made the Championships such a success and a joy to take part in. Caz Walton for organising and managing the event, Peter and Janet Huggins for providing the Armoury and weapon control, Peter (again) for his refereeing of the Foil and Epee, Terry Collings for his refereeing of the Sabre, Vera Burge for the score keeping, Paul Cordell for the IT support, and the two Catherine’s for making the tea & coffee.
The Championships were once again supported by the members of the
Nottinghamshire Fencing Club who provided voiciferous support and joined in
the team events.
Our thanks also go to Jean Stone, MBE, for taking time out of her busy schedule to present medals and trophies for the event.
Neil Ross