Illinois Fencers Club Kicks Off 2014 With Successes at Home and Abroad
On February 3, 2014, Illinois Fencers Club's fencer, Gabe Weininger, faced a field of 159 competitors from 22 countries in the European Fencing Confederation's Cadet Circuit for men's epee in Goteborg, Sweden. The tournament was intense throughout the day, but Gabe rose to the challenge, fencing hard for every touch, and came away with a medal for sixth place. He represented team USA with integrity showing respect for his opponents, referees, coaches and the sport of fencing. Gabe is a 16 year old fencer from Northbrook, who has been fencing at the Illinois Fencers Club for eight years. He says that what he enjoys about fencing is the competitiveness and that it is an individual sport. Gabe likes the fact that he is responsible for his own performance, which demands that he constantly analyze his performance and seek ways to improve.
Earlier in January, Gabe won 1st place, while Jakub Nowak took 3rd in the Metro Chicago Fencing Center Epee Tournament in Northbrook, IL.
On January 19th, Gabe Weininger and Maciek Zmyslowski, teamed up with a Northwestern University fencer, Alistair Murray, to compete in the Senior Team Men's Epee event of the North America's Cup in Virginia Beach, Virginia and claimed sixth place in a field of 29 teams from across the country.
IFC's young fencer, Misha Romanov, placed 6th in Y14 men's foil at the Regional Youth Circuit at the Grand Rapids Fencing Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 11, 2014. Two weeks later, Misha and his teammate and Peter Kulaga competed at the Youth Invitational at the Milwaukee Sport Fencing Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 26, 2014. Both fencers competed in Y-12 and Y-14 mixed foil and earned 2nd and 3rd place medals, respectively, in both events. Misha is an 11 year old fencer from Glenview and started fencing at the Illinois Fencers Club three years ago. Misha likes the quick action, reaction and concentration that is required for fencing. Along with the practicing and competition, Misha says the sport is just a lot of fun.
The Illinois Fencers Club, Mt. Prospect, IL promotes and teaches the Olympic sport of fencing to students of all ages and skill levels and provides a friendly and safe venue for members to practice their sport. It is a member operated non-for-profit sports association that has been serving beginning, recreational, and competitive fencers for more than 40 years. Further information is available on the club’s website www.IFCfencing.org and its Facebook page.