Two Boston Fencing Club members represented their countries and the club against opponents throughout the Western Hemisphere this summer.
David Hill, representing the United States, and Leon Sanchez, representing Puerto Rico, made the trip to Escazu, Costa Rica, to compete in the Veteran division of the Pan-American Fencing Championship.
Sanchez earned fifth-place in the Veteran 1 (age 50-59) men’s foil and seventh-place in the Veteran 1 men’s epee. Hill finished eighth in the Veteran 2 (age 60-plus) men’s foil.
Sanchez finished undefeated in his Veteran 1 men’s epee pool with five wins, setting up a match with Robert Mones of the USA, which he won 10-1. Sanchez fell to Nestor Grajales of Puerto Rico in the following round by a 10-8 score.
In the Veteran 1 men’s foil, Sanchez won three pool matches before beating David Hueske 10-1 in the Round of 32 and earning a 10-8 victory over Camilo Ricardo Salazar Olarte of Brazil in the Round of 16 on the way to a seventh-place finish.
Hill finished eighth in the Veteran 2 men’s foil with one win in pool play and a 10-4 victory in the Round of 16 over Mario Jose Yennaccaro of Argentina.
Both athletes enjoy the mental and physical challenges that are unique to the sport. “What draws me to fencing is that it is both physically and mentally challenging in that you have to have a plan for each bout that you want to execute but also be able to react to your opponent, both strategically and in the ‘heat of the moment,’” reflects Hill. “I also like the fact that in every bout and in every competition there will always be something to feel positive about and something that you can learn and build on for the next event.”
Boston Fencing Club, an 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to teaching the Olympic sport of fencing to fencers of all ages and skill levels, traces its roots back to its founding in 1858. The club is located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston.
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