Saanich’s Deniza Ospan struck gold at the B.C. Provincial Youth Championships earlier this month in Richmond.
Ospan, a member of the Capital City Fencers Club, won the women’s epee event in the Y14 category. Victorian and fellow club member, Ahmed Elbassiouny, also medalled at the event, bringing home the bronze in the Y10 mixed foil event.
Ospan’s toughest competition came in the quarter-finals from Dynamo’s Katie Purcell. “She had fast reactions,” said Ospan.
After losing her opening round match 5-3 to Purcell, the fencers squared off again in the tournament’s third round. “I was prepared and ready to beat her in the quarter-final bout,” said Ospan, “I wanted to make the most of my second chance.”
After squeaking out a narrow 15-14 win, Ospan cruised to a win in the final against Lydia Meng of Dynamo 15-5. Elbassiouny lost a tight semifinal to Dynamo’s Nicholas Zhang 8-7.
“Youth fencing is taking off in the Capital region right now,” according to Ospan’s coach Miko Ross. “There are growing programs running through Saanich Commonwealth Place, Capital City Fencers Club at Royal Oak middle school and UVic,” said Ross, “I expect we’ll be seeing more podium finishes from the very strong group of upcoming youth fencers in our city very soon.”
For full tournament results, see: https://askfred.net/Results/results.php?tournament_id=36763.