Maryland teen fencer faces Olympic medalists in Rio, returns with top 16 result from her first Senior World Cup

DC Fencers Club congratulates Amanda Sirico (Bowie, MD), who placed 14^th in her first-ever Senior World Cup at the Rio Epee Internationale World Cup in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on May 17-18.  In her debut Senior World Cup, Sirico placed highest of all the eight Team USA members competing in the Senior Women’s Epee event, including London 2012 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist Maya Lawrence.  Sirico’s result makes her one of just three U.S. women’s epee fencers to earn top-16 results on the Senior World Cup circuit this season.

“Amanda has had great success as a cadet fencer,” said Janusz Smolenski, Head  Coach of DC Fencers Club.  “In Rio, she has shown that she is a world-class fencer at the senior level.”

Although this was her first Senior World Cup, Sirico finished the pools with a 4-2 record and won her preliminary table of 64 bout over Bianca Dantas (BRAZIL), 15-10.  She remained in contention after a 15-14 victory over Sanne Gars (SWEDEN).  Sirico earned a definitive win over Hyojoo Choi (KOREA), 15-4.  In the table of 16, Sirico faced Yujie Sun (CHINA), a two-time London Olympic medalist and the current world #1 senior women’s epee fencer. 

Sun led the bout, 6-3, after the first period, but Sirico picked up a single to cut Sun’s lead to two at 8-6. Both fencers scored off a double touch before Sun went on a four-touch run to take the score to 13-7. Sirico singled twice and Sun scored another to end the second period, 14-9. In the third period, Sun took an early double touch to win the bout, 15-10.  With this top-16 finish, Sirico climbed from 12^th to the #6 ranked senior women’s epee fencer in the national team standings.

Sirico has had stellar results in the 2012-2013 season, completing the season as the #1 ranked cadet (under 17) women epee fencer in the United States.  Among her international results are: Gold, Cadet Epee European Cup, in Grenoble, France (November 2012); Silver, Cadet Epee European Cup in Klagenfurt, Austria (October 2012); Silver, Junior (Under 20) Women’s Epee, in Goteberg Sweden (February 2013).  In addition to multiple medals at national events (North American Cups), Sirico won gold in the Junior Women’s Epee event at the Junior Olympic Fencing Championships in Baltimore MD (April 2013), the U.S. Championship tournament for Cadet and Junior fencers.  Her results also earned her a spot on the U.S. Junior World Team, which competed at the Junior World Championships in Porec, Croatia in April 2013.  Next, she competes in Junior Women’s Epee at the U.S. National Championships in Columbus, Ohio this July.

DCFC is home to dozens of fencers who have earned medals and top eight spots at national and international events in epee and sabre in multiple age categories from cadet (under 17) to veteran (over 40).

Summer Fencing Camps at DC Fencers Club

Each generation of fencing champions starts in a beginner fencing class.  This July, DC Fencers Club offers four weeklong day camps in which youth from ages 7 and up can learn the Olympic sport of fencing. Camps are open to beginner through intermediate fencers, and equipment and uniforms are provided. Fencing camp activities include games, footwork, fencing technique & tactics, group lessons, fencing videos, competition, training with nationally ranked fencers, and of course, new friendships.

DC Fencers Club camps take place July 8-12; July 15-19; July 22-26; and July 29-August 2, 2013.  The price per session is $320.  All sessions run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Beginners and advanced fencers are welcome, with a minimum age of seven years old.  All fencing equipment is provided. Students should bring a water bottle and dress to move. Fencing camps take place at DC Fencers Club, a dedicated fencing facility located minutes from the Beltway in Silver Spring, MD. To register, visit the Camps page of DC Fencers Club at www.dcfencing.com, call 240-505-9202 or email dcfencers@gmail.com.

About DC Fencers Club

DC Fencers Club (DCFC) has a national and international reputation as one of the best fencing clubs in the United States.  The club offers instruction through classes, camps, workshops, and individual lessons. Fencers of all ages are welcome, and members range from recreational fencers to fencers who compete in local, regional, national, and international tournaments.  DCFC coaches have a combined 100 years of training, competition, and teaching experience, and they include credentialed fencing masters and National and World Champions.  DC Fencers Club promotes excellence, sportsmanship, and safety in a friendly, easygoing environment.

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RELATED RESOURCES

Video of Amanda Sirico's Table of 16 win against Choi (KOREA) at the Rio Epee Internationale World Cup in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on May 17-18.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/32998099