Civilians fenced in by Services in ACT

ADF fencers out-swashbuckled the opposition at the premier ACT fencing event, the ADFA Tournament, held at the ADFA indoor sports centre on August 20.

A total of 33 civilian and ADF fencers from five fencing clubs entered the individual open foil competition, making the tournament the largest fencing event ever held in the ACT.

By the semi-finals, ADFA hopes rested with Midshipman Matt McKee and Army Officer Cadet Tarrant Derksen.

Midshipman McKee lost to former Commonwealth fencing gold medallist Nigel Nutt, from ANU, setting up a grand final between Mr Nutt and Officer Cadet Derksen. Despite Officer Cadet Derksen’s gallant 8-15 loss, the contest proved to be the ADFA Tournament’s highlight.

Officer Cadet Derksen received a silver medal, with gold and bronze going to ANU. Midshipman McKee finished fourth and Air Force Officer Cadet Adam Brown finished fifth.

In the ADF Inter-Service competition, Army (Captain Tim Inglis, Staff Cadet Graeme Billett and Officer Cadet Derksen) won the grand final and took the ADF Fencing trophy.

While the three Services competed against each other, teams from ANU, YMCA and Monash University fought elimination bouts to determine who would face ADFA in the inter-club Italian relay. YMCA prevailed after upsetting ANU, but were defeated by ADFA 36-27, winning the tournament trophy.

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