Stanford fencing sent 16 athletes to compete in the Korea-USA Elite Fencing Invitational
Aug. 25, 2011
Stanford, Calif. - Stanford fencing was well represented at the Korea-USA Elite Fencing Invitational held in Busan, Korea from August 4 to August 7, 2011. Organized by Stanford alum Jimi Jung and the Stanford Fencing Association, the tournament featured 10 Korean and eight American universities.
The Cardinal sent 16 athletes to the tournament with top-10 finishes posted by Kian Ameli (Epee), Turner Caldwell (Foil) and Francesca Bassa (Epee). Designed to promote and develop U.S. and Korean fencing, the tournament also introduced many Koreans to international fencing and allowed U.S. students to experience Korean culture.
Korea won the team competition 60-52 in which 12 athletes from each country who placed highest in the competition were pitted against one another. Following three days of competition the athletes took an all-day Busan city tour on their final day. For the Cardinal fencers, the experience was more than an athletic competition.
"I think this is a really awesome opportunity," said Suraya Omar, '12 Sabre at Stanford, "and a little bit more special to me because this opportunity is one that came out of a lot of adversity, so to have this on top of all the other victories that Stanford has gotten as a fencing team is really special." The feeling of 'something special' was palpable. "This tournament was much more about promoting the sport and being something special rather than just another competition," said Jake Harbour, '14 Epee at Stanford, after competing on the first day.
About the Stanford Varsity Fencing Program
Fencing has been a sport at Stanford University for the past 120 years. Stanford ranks with the top fencing schools in the country and its highly competitive collegiate fencing program has produced Olympians, members of world championship teams, national champions, all-Americans and NCAA champions and medalists. Stanford fencing has a rich and decorated history. For more information, go to:
http://www.gostanford.com/sports/c-fenc/stan-c-fenc-body.html
About the Stanford Fencing Association
An organization for fencers associated with Stanford University and their supporters, past, present and future, the Stanford Fencing Association was created as an extension of the Save Stanford Fencing Campaign" to promote and support fencing, a tradition at Stanford University since 1891.
