Witsies shine in KwaZulu-Natal National Open tournament.
Eight Wits fencers participated at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) National Open tournament which was held over September 8-9. One of the fencers, Andrea Cabanac brought home the club’s first ever national gold medal.
Cabanac won the women’s foil championship while the other seven fencers progressed to the second round of their respective categories but were unfortunately eliminated thereafter.
“It is an honour and a privilege. This medal has greatly motivated me to continue excelling to the best of my ability for my club,” said Cabanac.
Cabanac has now qualified to fence for South Africa at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Canberra, Australia. She will be the first Wits fencer in the club’s history to fence at the Commonwealth Games.
“I have had my ambitions set on qualifying for this competition since African Championships in Tunisia and it is truly fulfilling to know that I have attained this goal,” said Cabanac.
Frankie Snyman, the Wits fencing chairperson, spoke to Wits Vuvuzela about Cabanac’s achievement, “Her accomplishment reflects her tremendous courage and determination.”
Snyman added that it is exciting to see the hard work that Cabanac has put in finally come to fruition with her qualification for the Commonwealth Games.
Tarryn Maggs, a Wits fencer, who placed sixth in the senior women’s foil championship, hopes to improve her personal performance by increasing her fitness and strength levels to be better.
Maggs told Wits Vuvuzela that she would like to improve her position and ranking for the club’s upcoming tournaments.
“I would like to make it into the top four at the next national tournament and achieve silver at provincials. I am currently ranked fourth in Gauteng so next year I hope to achieve my Gauteng colours for foil,” said Maggs.
The Wits Fencing Club will now set its sights on the Eastern Cape National tournament that will take place in November.
“In order to maintain our standard of fencing, we will continue to practise three times a week in preparation for the final fight,” said Snyman.
The Wits Fencing Club is hoping to successfully host the University Sports South Africa fencing tournament in December for the first time in four years.
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits Fencing Club members practise before the KZN tournament. Photo: Elizabeth-Jane Ringrose
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