Ethan Dakin won silver
Great work by Fernwood Sword Clubs fencers in the British Youth Championships last weekend.
Ethan Dakin won silver today in U12 men's foil, from 70 fencers. He won all of his poule matches, meaning he was 6th seed, and had a bye in L128. There followed a ruthless 10-0 win over Zach Flanagan from the West Midlands in L64 and a confident 10-4 victory over Londoner Sinan Basak in L32. He followed this up with a very impressive 10-5 victory over ZFW's excellent Luca Businaro in L16 and a 10-4 win over David Bishay's Newham Swords in L8. Ethan's progress continued with a dominant 10-1 win over old rival Nathan Mooney of Harrogate in the semi-final. Ethan was denied the gold by Khalam Contractor of Newham Swords but can be very pleased to be the third Fernwood fencer to medal in the BYCs in the history of our fairly young club.
Arthur Eakin fenced well on Sunday in the U14 men's foil, given the strength of the competition and that he is an U13. He won 3 matches and lost 2, one of these being to bronze medallist Nye Ulferts-Kilpatrick of Salle Holyrood. Arthur went into the DEs as 31st seed and had a bye in L128. He had an excellent victory in L64 over George Keogh of ZFW. Both fencers were very cagey and at 6-6 it was anyone's match. Arthur took the 7th point and with the 8th point the psychological advantage. George was chasing and Arthur was confident. However, the match went to time with a 13-8 win to Arthur. He then had a very tough match against the equal 1st seed, French fencer William Lauga of Cambridge, and went out to finish 25th from 72 fencers and 9th placed of the U13 fencers.