Congratulations to the following NYFA fencers for their Top 32 results at the November 2011 North American Cup in Austin, Texas:
Cadets Women’s Epee:
Annie Morelli: 12th out of 116 fencers
Cadets Men’s Epee:
Romain Cannone: 15th out of 145. Romain also earned his “B2011” rating
Gabriel Canaux: 28th place
Y14 Men’s Epee:
Romain Cannone: 12th out of 76
Registration is open for our 5-day Winter Fencing Camp, December 26-30, 2011. Early bird discounts available. Camp includes fencing, conditioning, footwork, blade work and bouting. Beginners are welcome so this is a great opportunity for friends to have fun together over winter break and learn the basics of fencing before January classes begin. Click here for details: NYFA Winter Fencing Camp
Brooklyn, NY, October 25, 2011 – Fencers from the New York Fencing Academy (NYFA) traveled to Richmond, Virginia last weekend to compete among 2,000 athletes in the North American Cup. Some went for the training and experience, while others vied for national points and delivered their best performances to date.
Annie Morelli, 15, from Brooklyn, was determined to do better at this Cadets (under 17) NAC than she did at the July NAC in Reno. She’s been training for 8 hours a week and the hard work paid off. “It was her day,” her coach, Misha Mokretsov said, “she felt timing perfectly and was very patient and stable. Once she got the lead, she never gave it back.” On her way to earning her first national Silver medal in Cadets Women’s Epee, Annie defeated #7 ranked Horowitz and #3 ranked Sirico. She also earned an “A2011” rating – the highest possible, as well as national points which led to her selection to represent the US at the Cadets World Cup in Grenoble, France. Her next goal is to make the national team in 2012.
Romain Cannone, 14, from Manhattan, has been competing for less than two years, but that didn’t stop him from earning two NAC medals this weekend. Romain was focused and fencing well throughout the Division III (D & under rated) Men’s Epee event. As he was about to fence for top 8, his coach began a pep talk only to get interrupted by Romain. “I WILL win – I don’t care about that kid!” he exclaimed. He went on to earn his first national Silver medal, and came back the next day to earn his second medal for 6th place in Division II (C & under rated) Men’s Epee.
Two more NYFA fencers earned Cadets points at the NAC: Gabriel Canaux, A-rated sophomore on the Brooklyn Tech High School fencing team, placed 9th, and Sophia Chelnitsky, 15, also from Brooklyn, got 30th and a “D2011” rating. NYFA’s previous best results were earned at the July National Championships by Skyler Chin, 14, from Long Island who took Silver in Division II and Bronze in Y14 Men’s Epee, and also earned his “A2011” rating.
Although the club opened just over a year ago, several students were training with Coach Mokretsov at other clubs before following him to NYFA. This month, NYFA expanded its facilities to triple the original space to accommodate its growing membership. “It’s a great mix of good fencing, physical conditioning, and fun” said Romain who commutes from his Westchester home Friday nights to fence at NYFA, catches some sleep in his family’s Manhattan apartment, then returns to NYFA to train all Saturday afternoon. “It’s tough, but really worth it. Fencing is the best sport in the world!”
New York Fencing Academy is located in a newly renovated, state-of-the-art fencing center at 2896 W 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224. They offer group classes, private lessons, and open bouting for students of all ages and levels, from beginners through advanced. (718) 996-0426. http://www.fencenyfa.com.
Contact: Misha Mokretsov
Company: New York Fencing Academy
Address: 2896 W 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Club Phone: (718) 996-0426
Cell Phone: (347) 741-1343
Email: info.nyfa@gmail.com
Website: http://www.fencenyfa.com
This weekend our fencers competed at the North American Cup in Richmond, Virginia with the best athletes from the United States, Canada, Korea and Puerto Rico. Many of our fencers showed their best results ever at this tournament and made NYFA extremely proud:
We had a blast all weekend with our members and new friends who joined us to celebrate the grand opening of our new facilities! Students had to coach their parents and parents bouted; fencers competed for the best balloon popper title; and our guests discovered the thrilling sport of sword fighting!
Thanks to everyone for coming, and thanks to our fencers and parents for your help in making our first year so successful. We look forward to an even greater year in our new fencing center. Go NYFA!
