Sabre Outreach Network hosted its annual SFSFL Holiday Challenge at DuelLIFE Olympic Fencing Center this past weekend. Over 75 event competitors were set to participate in the tournament. There were competitors of all ages, from the 5-7 year old exhibition event, to the veteran fencer’s that competed in our open event. Fencers traveled from across the South Eastern United States, including Alabama, Georgia, and Northern & Southern Florida.
Additionally we are pleased to announce that SON has held the first local sabre tournament in Florida to reach a nationally ranked A2 competition. The strongest possible rating for a competition is an A4.
In the Youth 14/Novice (C) event Esther Bentolila of DuelLIFE Olympic Fencing Center was able to win the gold medal, earning her second victory of the season. If not for a foot injury that sidelined Bentolila for over a month, she could have swept the first half of the 2011-2012 season. Nine year old Atara Greenbaum also put on a stellar performance in the event, overcoming last month’s SFSFL Champion William Julien to earn a medal and a spot in the top 8.
With SON’s fencers home from college including Sebastian Bruno-Harris of Brandeis, Jake Friedman of Drew University, Hanna Heldenmuth of Farleigh Dickinson University, and current Division 3 USA National Champion John Tighe of Rice University the Junior and Open events would make for extremely difficult competitions.
In the Junior (B) event Friedman and Tighe were looking to regain some of the dominance they displayed last season before leaving for university. They took on a strong field of competitors including AJ Qureshi, captain of the North Broward Preparatory School Fencing Team. Qureshi won the first two SFSFL Junior (B) events of the 2011-2012 season. In the semi-finals the remaining fencers included Qureshi, Tighe, Friedman and Hue of Gainesville. Qureshi defeated Hue in elegant fashion to advance to the gold medal bout where he woud face Friedman, who eliminated Tighe 15-13. The final match went point for point, in the end Qureshi pulled out the victory, winning his 3rd consecutive SFSFL Junior event.
Next, the Open (A) tournament, the premiere event of the day. The competition included two former USA International team members, Dan Berliner, Elite Athlete Coach at DuelLIFE Olympic Fencing Center, and Allen Schneider of Georgia. Also representing DuelLIFE Olympic Fencing Center were powerhouse siblings Joseph Mitrani, a recent medalist at the North American Cup in December 2011, and Robby Mitrani, a member of the bronze medal team at the Senior USA National Championships. In the semi-finals Dan Berliner defeated Sebastian Bruno-Harris 15-7 and Joseph Mitrani bested Allen Schneider, a Nationally Ranked A2011, 15-9. The gold medal bout was a matchup of coach vs. student, Dan Berliner vs. Joseph Mitrani, coach held the upper hand defeating Mitrani 15-4. With his 2nd place finish Joseph Mitrani was able to earn his USFA B2011 rating, AJ Qureshi was also able to earn a new USFA rating, C2011, jumping up from an E2011.