Uni fencers dominate Devon Sabre Championships

University fencers dominated the results table last Sunday as fencers from across Devon battled for the title of 2015 Devon Sabre Champion. Misha Jessel-Kenyon won the Men's Sabre and Izabela Sosnowska took the Women's title.

The best ever turnout for the annual Sabre contest - hosted at Newton Abbot - signals a growth in popularity for Sabre as the rarest of the 3 weapons in modern fencing (Foil and Épée being more common).

Sabre is quick and dynamic - you can score a hit with any part of the blade and the very softest of contact is all it takes. Electronic score boxes light up to show who makes a touch, and the fencers wear steel masks and lamé jackets covering the target, which is the whole upper body above the hips, including the head and arms (very strong protective gear is worn). Competitors pledge their honour to fence well, fairly and safely - every bout ends with a salute and handshake.

Gold for Sosnowska in the Women's group was unsurprising as she is currently 15th in the British Sabre rankings! Universities dominated in the Men's Sabre, with Gold taken by Misha Jessel-Kenyon of Exeter University Fencing Club, Silver for James Aldous-Granby of Truro Fencing Club (also at Plymouth University), and Bronze for Thomas Fitchett also of Plymouth University matched by Darrell Sefton from Barnstaple Fencing Club who also took Bronze.

Best Veterans (over 40) were Darrell Sefton (Barnstaple) and Lynne Bournemisza (Newton Abbot). Best under-20 awards went to James Aldous-Granby (Truro FC, also Plymouth University) and Hannah Seymour (Barnstaple).

If you would like to learn Sabre, seek out your local fencing club or find the Devon County Fencing Union on Facebook and ask for details.

TOP RESULTS
Women's Sabre:
1 (Gold) SOSNOWSKA, Izabela (PHOENIX)
2 (Silver) BORNEMISZA, Lynne (NEWTON ABBOT)
3T (Bronze) SEYMOUR, Hannah (BARNSTAPLE)
3T (Bronze) UNDERHILL, Melissa (NEWTON ABBOT)

Men's Sabre:
1 (Gold) JESSEL KENYON, Misha (EXETER UNIVERSITY)
2 (Silver) ALDOUS-GRANBY, James (TRURO; also PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY)
3T (Bronze) SEFTON, Darrell (BARNSTAPLE)
3T (Bronze) FITCHETT, Thomas (PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY)

Master at Arms Trophies:
Women: Katie Little who fences at Salle Lawrence in Plymouth.
Men: Alexander Scott who fences at Tiverton Swords.

Best Under 20:
Women's: SEYMOUR, Hannah.
Men's: ALDOUS-GRANBY, James.

Best Veteran (Over 40):
Women's: BORNEMISZA, Lynne.
Men's: SEFTON, Darrell.

Full results online at http://nafc.ipofficeltd.co.uk/dcfusabre/index.htm