Solid performances from Arthur And Ethan
This Sunday saw very solid performances from both Arthur Eakin and Ethan Dakin in the U13 men's foil at the Leon Paul Junior Series in Hendon, North London, in a strong field of 39.
Ethan had a good start, winning 3 of his four matches in his first poule, including a pleasing 5-3 win against old rival Finn Keen of Fencers Club London and losing to Sebastian Beardmore-Esteban of ZFW. Arthur had a tough poule but took his opportunities, with 2 good wins, losing 3-5 to eventual gold medallist Oliver Hughes and 2-5 to silver medallist Khalam Contractor.
In the second poule, Ethan again had three wins, all against London fencers, losing only to Ben Turner of ZFW. Arthur lost to 2 strong fencers but won 2, including an excellent 5-1 win over L8 placed Leroy Kronabetter of Salle Paul.
Ethan was seeded 11th for the DEs and had a bye in L64. In L32 he faced 22nd seed Luca Reddi of Finchley Foil and had a very comfortable 10-3 win. Arthur was 20th seed and also had a bye in L64, meeting ZFW's Tomi Fric, 13th seed, in L32. This was a tough fight and things were fairly equal up to the first break. Arthur stormed away after that to win 10-6.
Ethan and Arthur were the only non-Londoners to make L16, but Ethan went out 6-10 to Allez Fencing's Aarav Chaudhari (who had beaten Arthur in the second poule) and Arthur went out 4-10 to his old nemesis Oliver Hughes, who went on to win gold.
This was a strong performance by both boys in a tough competition.