Fencing championships coming to Canberra

This just in from Australian Fencing:

Canberra is hosting the 2012 Australian Fencing Circuit Open Championships and the 2012 Oceania & Australian Veteran Fencing Championship.

The event will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport (Main Arena) from Friday December 7 2012 to Tuesday December 11 2012.

Highlights include:

— Over 350 fencers
— Over 3000 bouts across the five days of the event
— Showcasing three fencing disciplines of Foil, Sabre and Epee
— Over 50 teams across all disciplines
— Fencing on 13 competition metal pistes
— Aspiring and former Olympians competing

“This is the first time ACT Fencing has hosted the National Championships. We have been awarded the tournament for four years by the National Body (AFF) as part of their strategy to develop closer ties with the AIS, as well as being the best stadium in the country” said Hans Dimpel, National Event Coordinator.

“The 2012 Championships will have over 400 entries, with many aspiring Olympians competing including Dianna Sher from Melbourne, daughter of the National Epee Coach – Vlad Sher as well as former Olympians such as the Halls sisters, Jo and Evelyn who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics” added Hans Dimpel.

Special guests over the weekend include:

— Friday December 7 – Federal Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy
— Saturday December 8 – Federal Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtman
— Tuesday December 11 – Federal Member for Fraser, Andrew Leigh

Rising star and national cadet, local Canberra fencer Callum Bodman, 16 years, will be at the event, training with the National Squad.

The Australian Open and Veteran Championships have been held annually since 1949. The Oceania Veteran Championships are held every two years, with 2012 being the first year the tournament will be held in Canberra. The event will include competitors from Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and New Caledonia.