World Cup Warsaw Success

In July 2018 GB sent fencers to Warsaw for the Senior World Cup, and the Junior World Championships. It was a successful campaign with Dimitri Coutya picking up 2 gold medals in Cat B Epee and Foil, and Piers Gilliver collecting gold in Cat A Epee and bronze in Sabre. The men’s foil team of Piers, Dimitri, Josh Waddell and Ollie Lam-Watson took the silver medal, the first team medal in foil since Adam was a lad.

There were also some good performances by the other fencers. Most notably Shah Rashid was placed 5th in the Cat B Sabre.

In the Junior World Championships Josh Waddell won a silver medal in the mixed nations epee team event.

Dimitri with his two medals and two swords presented to the champions

Piers getting his gold medal.

Team Silver

Shah Rashid on his way to a 5th place

Three BDF members recognised by British Fencing

In November 2019 three BDF members were recognised for their contributions to fencing, by British Fencing.

Piers Gilliver and Dimitri Coutya were both awarded the British Fencing Silver Medal. In making the presentation and reading the citation, BF President, Hilary Philbin remarked on the extraordinary fencing achievements of both wheelchair fencers during the last four years, winning medals at every World Championships, Zonal Championships and World Cup. Hilary witnessed first hand their achievements at the World Championships in Cheongju, South Korea in September 2019, when each fencer won 2 individual medals and a team medal, and both had returned home as a World Champion. The award of the Silver Medal is richly deserved.

At the same ceremony Viv Mills was awarded the British Fencing Bronze Medal for services to fencing. In reading the citation, Hilary Philbin outlined Viv’s all-round contribution to fencing, as an Executive Director of England Fencing, being responsible for the organisation of the England Youth Championships, for four years, and acting as Assistant Manager and Coach to the England Veteran’s Team at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Christchurch and Canberra. As Secretary of British Disability Fencing, having responsible for the day-to-day administration of the GB Wheelchair fencers, and traveling to all the international competitions as BDF Team Manager, and coach. Viv also coaches at her local fencing club.